The Zumwalt destroyers have long been an enigma for the U.S. Navy. Constructed as stealthy, multi-mission warships full of next-generation technology, they were intended to revolutionize naval warfare. Instead, they developed a reputation for exorbitant costs, a drastically reduced fleet size compared to that originally envisioned, and a primary weapon—the 155mm Advanced Gun System—that never quite came through. With its high-cost specialized ammunition, priced well out of reason, these ships were left, at least in the short run, without a discernible primary armament—or a discernible mission.
Now, the Zumwalts are getting a dramatic second act. The Navy is transforming them into the first U.S. surface ships capable of firing hypersonic missiles, giving these destroyers a fresh and highly strategic role. This is more than a simple retrofit—it represents a reimagining of how the Navy projects power, deters adversaries, and fights at sea in the modern era.
The upgrades are comprehensive. The bow Advanced Gun Systems on each ship are being upgraded with four huge launch tubes. Each tube, Navy program manager Capt. Clint Lawler said, is 87 inches in diameter and has space for three Advanced Payload Module canisters, each containing three Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) hypersonic missiles.
Together, one Zumwalt-class destroyer can carry as many as 12 hypersonic weapons. This involves extensive structural work, such as cutting out the deeply rooted gun mounts, bracing bulkheads, and installing new fire control and combat systems able to support these cutting-edge strikes.
The missiles themselves represent an advancement in military technology. They were designed with the assistance of the U.S. Army. The CPS missile used by the Navy has a boost-glide vehicle shared with the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon belonging to the Army. Rocket-boosted to over Mach 5, the missile drops its glide vehicle, which will curvily fly in an unpredictable path towards the target. It is speed combined with agility that renders hypersonic missiles so much harder to detect or intercept, perfect for attacking high-value assets deep within contested areas.
From a strategy point of view, it makes complete sense. Hypersonics reduce time-to-target and enhance long-range survivability, even against next-generation defensive systems. In a world where competitors are quickly building their hypersonic arsenals and investing large sums of money in layered defense systems, the capability to strike from unexpected places and quickly is a large plus.
The Zumwalt’s low radar cross-section and sophisticated communications make it particularly well suited to operate in contested waters and deliver accurate, powerful strikes before an enemy can react.
All that said, obstacles still exist. The Navy’s aggressive schedule for deploying hypersonics on the Zumwalt has been plagued by testing and integration delays. Officials say standardized test protocols and resources must still be fully developed to evaluate operational effectiveness under realistic conditions.
With only three ships in the class, all possessing different systems, these destroyers continue to be costly and complicated to maintain. Discussions regarding standardizing radar and combat systems to facilitate more efficient upkeep and future upgrades continue to take place.
In spite of such challenges, the Navy is pressing on. USS Zumwalt is back at sea following a 14-month overhaul with its new hypersonic launchers on board. USS Lyndon B. Johnson will go on duty with hypersonic capability from its inception, while USS Michael Monsoor will be modernized to receive it in a later upgrade cycle. Budget proposals reflect a clear intent to arm all three ships with hypersonic weapons within ten years.
Originally faulted as a product of overreaching, the Zumwalt-class destroyers now have an opportunity to set a new course. By marrying revolutionary strike capability with updated surface combat technology, the Navy is hoping these advanced, stealthy ships will be a central pillar of maritime power in the 21st century.
