Advanced Zumwalt destroyers to host US Navy’s 1st hypersonic weapon

For years, the U.S. Navy has been hard at work seeking to salvage the design of the futuristic Zumwalt destroyers. With a hefty price tag of $7.5 billion, the destroyers were meant to replace the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers.
The design was eventually abandoned, though the three finished destroyers are still operational and highly advanced. Now, the Navy is on the verge of turning these ships into hypersonic heavyweights.
Zumwalts have an unconventional design, meant to minimize radar signatures, and even have electric propulsion. They can also fire munitions like the standard missile in their vertical launchers, but were also designed with 155mm artillery guns at the front of the ship to support land forces. Unfortunately, the price per pound of those guns was close to $1 million, and they were never operational.
These ships were eventually used as testing platforms for new innovations, until now. The Navy wants to innovate with them even further.
At a Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi, the Navy has begun to replace the artillery guns with a new launching system for the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon. When it’s all said and done, each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be able to hold 12 CPS missiles.
CPS is one of the hypersonic missiles the U.S. is currently developing. The Navy and Army have both conducted numerous land-based tests. Now, the Navy says it is on track to start testing these missiles on Zumwalts in 2027 or 2028.
Hypersonic weapons are missiles that can travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound, without losing maneuverability. This is an important distinction, because ballistic missiles can travel much faster than the speed of sound, but they take a predictable path and can be easier to intercept.
A conventional prompt strike missile is made up of different components, but on the end of the weapon is a hypersonic glide vehicle that will do the maneuvering and actually impact the target. Retrofitting Zumwalts with hypersonic weapons like CPS is enough for one defense analyst at the Hudson Institute to say the Navy is taking victory from the jaws of defeat.
Russia claims to have hypersonic weapons, but Ukraine was able to counter them with U.S. supplied weaponry, including Patriot batteries. China does have hypersonic missiles, and the Pentagon confirmed as much according to documents leaked online by Jack Texeira.
Critics say hypersonic missiles are too expensive, and only offer a way to hit something far away really fast. The Congressional Budget Office says it will cost about $18 billion to buy 300 CPS weapons and maintain them for 20 years.
On the other hand, supporters say the cost of not developing hypersonic weapons could be steeper, arguing that if adversaries have them, the U.S. should too.
Full Story: san.com/cc/adv...
Follow Straight Arrow News on social media:
Facebook: / straightarrownews
Twitter: / straightarrow__
Instagram: / straightarrownews
TikTok: / straightarrownews
For more SAN content: san.com/
Sign up for our weekly newsletters: san.com/newsle...
Download the SAN App!
Apple: apps.apple.com...
Google Play: play.google.co...

[@KentoLeoDragon]

Ah the Cybertruck of the seas.

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

It ain’t no cyber truck of the seas Since it came WAY before the truck, we called it a bucket of bolts that can’t shoot

[@ambassador8524]

Great comment

[@danielmartin531]

More American junk

[@Kai-ic4mp]

A vessel so expensive that the U.S. navy doesn’t want it. That just amazes me 😂

[@mjk9388]

I think the ship's motto should be "Zum Zum".

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

Zoomies

[@thuydoan7496]

You left out one more Zum. So it's "Zum Zum Zum"

[@rschaffer8]

It’s called a shipyard, not a “shipping yard”. Also the Zumwalt Class was never intended to replace the Burke Class.

[@mawhayden]

Yes that is correct, Zumwalt was to replace the Iowa class Battle Ships, and the DDX Program was the project to replace the Burke’s but was canceled and replaced with Block 2a and block 3 .

[@jarrrrred]

This channel doesn't even bother to fact check anything..

[@casey203]

The American military industrial complex is designed to give 10% better weapons systems than anyone else…But at 1000% the cost.

[@rickjames18]

Stealth Zumwalt with long range Hypersonic missiles is a very capable union. This will certainly move the needle in favor of the US in the Pacific. Zumwalts finally have a mission as heavy hitters, anywhere, on time for HVTs.

[@gutstompenrocker]

You see the Mako missile? Small enough to be carried inside an F-35. Anduril's barracuda line of missiles are pretty sweet too. The advanced propellants recently developed are allowing the US to enjoy a huge leap in range, about double previously attained.

[@rickjames18]

@@gutstompenrocker Yeah both the MAKO and Barracuda are great. I hope the DOD really leans into both programs. As for Andruil, they are the future I think. We will need big and small hypersonics but also masses of conventional (barracuda type) weapons designed to be easily mass produced. I think the MAKO was made with ease of production in mind as well.

[@gutstompenrocker]

@@rickjames18 We made the transition in aircraft to a high/low mix of F-15/F-16 back in the 80's. We should do the same with missiles. Not every target requires a Lockheed LRASM when an Anduril equivalent can do it at 1/3 the cost. We have time to let hypersonic tech catch up in the meantime and still dominate on the battlefield. I want to know what Navy ship is going to house the Loyal Wingman for naval ops.

[@rickjames18]

@@gutstompenrocker I agree.

[@kennychad2821]

They were supposed to be a test bed for new naval weapons. They built the ships, but then cancelled the weapons that were supposed to go on there. These ships could truly be behemoths if properly outfitted.

[@trickydicky2908]

Looks like an iron clad from the Civil War.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

No. The Navy's first hypersonic weapon waas the Polaris missile in 1960.

[@jaybee9269]

Correct.

[@321thach]

You are being lied to that missile didn’t exist. In the Vietnam War the Vietnamese proved the Russian weapon are 10 times more superior than the US

[@321thach]

Also in Ukraine the Russian Cold War era weapon are still more superior than the NATO weapon. NATO doesn’t have the ability to stop the Oreshnik missile

[@Sterben026]

The Zumwalt was going to be a stealth artillery platform the 2 guns it has was supposed to be advanced and able to fire at ranges of 100miles + but when the round price spiked it triggered an automatic project cancel that the government implemented to avoid insane cost overruns. Now the navy is trying to find a purpose for these 3 ships and a stealth surface hypersonic launcher is one of them since the missiles it will launch are mostly classified and just entering production phase its cheaper to launch them from above surface rather than sub launch.

[@St0p_C12yi17g-Ho]

We’re putting a missile that is not in service on a Ship that has not been proven.

[@go4broke407]

They need to have a drone factory on these things. Ai drone swarms are the future.

[@timcasey5835]

Good news - we might not be first to the party but we’ll be the best ultimately.

[@Terryray123]

I wish we would put a simplified version of this ship out to ship. Also, i wish it could use standard 155mm rounds. Now, with a glide and ramjet powered ammo, it would be useful.

[@ajvonline]

Funny how much it resembles the Merrimac.

[@kylekyle7386]

The old becomes new again.

[@PantheraOnca60]

"...largest and most advanced surface vessel ever built." Most advanced? Okay. Largest? Not even close.

[@matthewschuchardt684]

It’s hard to say if they’re actually going to fully replace the guns or not. It does look like they are keeping the second turret on the deck for now, but it’s hard to tell if they’re actually replacing the loading mechanisms for a type 45 or they’re just gonna keep it there for ballast.

[@wildfire8126]

UK two aircraft carriers and six UK type 45 destroyers have been experiencing the similar problems with their electric propulsion systems. From the above issues, the US navy may or may not able to fully deployed the Zumwalt-class destroyers anything time soon.

[@turbogto]

Thanks for the info. But it's zum-walt

[@wildfire8126]

UK two aircraft carriers and six UK type 45 destroyers have been experiencing the similar problems with their electric propulsion systems. From the above issues, the US navy may or may not able to fully deployed the Zumwalt-class destroyers anything time soon.

[@createdeccentricities6620]

The entire Arleigh Burke class will have been scrapped for a long time, before these boondoggles will be anything like mission-capable.

[@rculm3914]

Seems pretty silly to advertise such a powerful weapon on 3 platforms.

[@totalNERD-eo7wx]

Honestly they should just reclassify these as cruisers

[@wildfire8126]

The Zumwalt-class destroyers have experienced significant issues with their electric propulsion system, primarily related to problems with the integrated power system (IPS) including harmonic filter failures, unpredicted electrical issues during operation, and damage to the turbine blades on the MT30 gas turbines which generate the power for the electric propulsion system, causing delays and requiring engine replacements on some ships; this has been a major factor in the challenges faced by the Zumwalt class destroyers. Key points about the Zumwalt's electric propulsion problems: Engine issues: The primary concern is damage to the turbine blades within the MT30 gas turbines, which are crucial for generating electricity for the ship's propulsion system. Harmonic filter failures: Electrical systems on the Zumwalt have experienced problems with harmonic filters, causing further complications. Design complexity: The advanced integrated power system itself is complex, leading to unexpected issues during operation.

[@Warhorse469]

Zumwalt has a face only a mother would love.

[@samw2768]

Is the zumwalt just a test bed for advanced weapon platforms? It did have the rail gun at one point.

[@TheFlutecart]

If the Navy had built 25 of these Cyber-Ships, the ammo for the guns would have been much cheaper, like a tenth of the cost. And that is just a glimpse into the reason the military pays such outrageous prices for seemingly ordinary things. Like specific brass hammer or even a specific pipe fitting will cost thousands of dollars if you only need 10 of them vs a hundred or so bucks if you need 10, 000 of them. 5 million right angle explosion proof flashlights? Makes for a better deal. 1 million Fluke A/N 77 multi meters? That's still gonna cost you because the meter needs to be manufactured for the time of the contract, the manufacturer has to stay tooled up for that. And it will need to be calibrated from time to time... gets expensive. But when you need that meter, it better be there or you might be FUBAR.

[@Bellthorian]

It is not Zoomwalt, it is Zumwalt.

[@jaysartori9032]

What about lasers on the Zumwalt class?

[@ronaldrebulanan7327]

Sooner or later all ships, tanks & air defense or other military equipments will equipt will hypersonic missiles

[@matthewschuchardt684]

I think you’re putting the wrong emphasis on the u in Zumwalt. As it is a German name, it actually has a more of the lowercase a sound to it.

[@Dweller415]

A million dollars per round? WTF? 😳

[@armchairgeneral7557]

@@Dweller415 technically it was $800k per. But $1m is much more dramatic.

[@freerbt4839]

At least put some 155 regular guns! Needs guns.

[@Ronald-o4z]

With a Cruisers size and with Cruiser guns ( 6"guns) should have a Cruisers price not to be compared to a destroyer price and what happened to land support

[@David-u6z6w]

What kind of round cost 1 million each ?

[@RedPixel2023]

Funny, the Zumwalt, the F22 are few of the USAF toys that the military have designated to be downplayed in all its R&D on social media..because these are the most important assets in terms of time projection wise

[@jaybee9269]

We always understate our capabilities.

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

I wonder how the old Destroyers would go with that new ramjet extended range ammo. Seems a waste those heavily armored ships got scrapped instead of modernised.

[@BravoCheesecake]

Those Teledyne guns are atrocious.

[@Ilamarea]

"*largest* and most technologically advanced surface vessel ever built??? What kind of crap reporting is this?

[@pig1114]

Largest Destroyer ever and amongst the most advanced warships, if not the most advanced destroyer, currently in service.

[@nintendoandwowsblitz]

What? You think a country like russia or China has something more technologically advanced than the zumwalt? It is the largest destroyer and the most technologically advanced destroyer in the world.

[@armchairgeneral7557]

Yes, it is certainly advanced. The AGS guns were a big mistake by the navy. I would love to see more zumwalts but with a different weapons configuration and improved point defense capabilities. I have heard of good things by sailors serving on he zumwalt.

[@orbiradio2465]

What is the exact definition of surface vessel? Only military ships? Or also large tankers?

[@tyrannus_tyrannus]

So, so many errors in this report!!! It really raises questions about the accuracy of other news reports on this channel. NOT the largest surface vessel. It's the largest DESTROYER Electric drive, NOT Electronic drive The work is being done in a SHIPYARD, not a SHIPBUILDING Geez!!!!!

[@matthewwilliams2709]

Thought those techy Naval boondoggles were years ago decommissioned and mothballed as unworkable in our overall fleets even as ship concepts mostly unworkable. Ought just sell them to China bait them into financially bankrupting themselves trying figure some sort usefulness of such beyond amusement of targets to practice with 😅

[@senor135]

what... they're definitely not the biggest

[@JohnsonMiningCompany]

Total junk reporting. The Zumwalt is not the largest surface vessel ever built. Much smaller than cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers from the World War II era. Much smaller than the Ticonderoga class cruiser, much smaller than aircraft carrier currently in the fleet.

[@orbiradio2465]

While the Zumwalts are much smaller than battleships, they are larger than the Ticonderoga class cruiser and even larger than USS Long Beach. They are the largest surface combatants since the Des Moines class.

[@gutstompenrocker]

Such a waste of space. They could have mounted an ERG with all the extra electricity the Zumwalt produces. Throw in a couple of laser air defense systems for good measure and you are GTG.

[@arjayhome916]

cruiser

[@JerryCalvert-x9u]

No hypersonic for the U.S. Only hype.

[@Fold-103]

Yes Russia is all hype with their so called “hypersonic” missiles as well. They don’t even have an air breathing hypersonic missile like the us had like the x-51 waverider. The us was never behind in hypersonic tech. Notice how their cgi animation literally shows the exact model of it? Congratulations you fell into their propaganda.

[@scottlink183]

It’s still NOT practical even with the hypersonic missiles. The problem is (12) missiles isn’t enough to warrant the cost of maintaining and deploying hypersonics Remember when a missile is fired the ship lights up like a Christmas tree. The enemy WILL know it’s location. Add to that after deploying all 12 missiles Zumwalt will need to return to port to rearm. So what we are really talking about here is a limited platform to deploy hypersonic weapons. We have AIrForce and submarines to deploy hypersonic missiles. Why waste even more money in this horrible Zumwalt disaster? Now if you told me laser weapons would be fitted on the Zumwalt in place of the gun system that sounds logical. But this is the Navy we’re talking about..logic does not exist in the US Navy

[@erbol0011]

😂😂😂 for real. Zumvalt is worst thing ever. They should have bulit more subs for that money

[@MatthewWilson-vl7qc]

Hypersonic weapons are Not functioning so far ,exept to hit Standing Targets ,Ships ,and Aircraft are Not standing targets : turning a missle at mach 5 and more ,will be impossible Remember I said This .

[@Demobot1]

I smell all kinds of fear in this comment section.

[@mphomosoeu6624]

Yep, Ukraine 🇺🇦 has claimed to shoot down Russian 🇷🇺 hypersonic missiles, and yet we haven't seen a single evidence of that, & how is that possible when patriot air defense was not made to shoot down hypersonic missiles

[@NinjaRunningWild]

The military must've forgot to validate themselves to you.

[@samuelcyril324]

That tells you those Moscow missiles aren't proper hypersonic missiles

[@Godsmustbecrazi3]

These Americans think they can still throws lies out there and people will believe. Am blocking this channel, reporting is so faked

[@mphomosoeu6624]

​@NinjaRunningWild Unlike U, i don't believe everything that Western media is saying. i don't eat Western propaganda or Ukrainian propaganda, we the global south like facts not he said or they said

[@mphomosoeu6624]

​@@NinjaRunningWilddon't be stupid, if it is true, then why the propagandists military don't validate that to the rest of the world 🤔? Because is just western propaganda

[@vladpootin5973]

🇺🇸🫡

[@tylerdurden4006]

It's cute you guys actually believe you have hypersonic weapons like Russia does. 😂😂

[@d3adbeatraccoon]

It's cute you think Russia even has a navy at this point. I think there all under the sea from $50 drones 🤣

[@NinjaRunningWild]

US has had them since day one. Go back to sleep.

[@DejiiJones_]

What 😂😂, If you only knew you DONT know. Go back to bed little one 😂

[@mikewashburn1207]

@@d3adbeatraccoonThe US doesn’t parade its weapons around like the weak countries!

[@hailarwotanaz5848]

The minuteman 3 ICBM re-enters the atmosphere at upwards of Mach 26 You’re really just a fucking idiot

[@Michael-j4h]

More navy junk 😢

[@praack4563]

still a waste - and we just launched another one in 2024 - one problem is the power plant , the other is the fact only a contractor can fix anything, hypersonic? we are so over budget and over the timeline to get hypersonic- - both China and Russia have had them for years now.

[@jasonhart9880]

Maybe look into it a bit. There is quite a difference in capability.. the kinzhal is a 80's weapon that's air launched. Hardly cutting edge.

[@johnsilver9338]

Not really. US had Pershing II in the 1980s. DF-21/YJ-21 uses the same MARV tech used on Pershing. MARVs are also the predecessor of HGVs. Now they brought it back with LRHW/Dark Eagle for US Army and CPS for USN. Twice the range and twice faster too.

[@praack4563]

@@johnsilver9338 then why don't we have anything fielded? Russia is not really the big player here- China is - and i would rather see an interim solution out, more shipyards, better support fleet than the current mess of a fleet we have that includes trying to use the failed LCS platform

[@johnsilver9338]

​@@praack4563 US Army already received its 1st LRHW battery since October 2021. “Today marks an important milestone in equipping our nation’s first hypersonic battery,” said Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood. A 2nd battery is in the works for 2025 and a 3rd one for 2027. 1st battery is currently deployed at Cape Canaveral and have recently made a successful all-up round AUR live fire test. It is also light enough to be transportable by a C-17 Globemaster so it can be deployed in East and Southeast Asia alongside Typhon launchers and M142 HIMARS. Japan already agreed to host them. As shown by the video Zumwalt class destroyers already started its modifications removing its guns so that it can accommodate a larger VLS able to house CPS to be ready by 2027. It will also be carried by the upcoming Virginia class Block V subs by 2028.

[@johnsilver9338]

@@praack4563 US Army already received its 1st LRHW battery since October 2021. “Today marks an important milestone in equipping our nation’s first hypersonic battery,” said Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood. A 2nd battery is in the works for 2025 and a 3rd one for 2027. 1st battery is currently deployed at Cape Canaveral and have recently made a successful all-up round AUR live fire test. It is also light enough to be transportable by a C-17 Globemaster so it can be deployed in East and Southeast Asia alongside Typhon launchers and M142 HIMARS. Japan already agreed to host them. As shown by the video Zumwalt class destroyers already started its modifications removing its guns so that it can accommodate a larger VLS able to house CPS to be ready by 2027. It will also be carried by the upcoming Virginia class Block V subs by 2028.

[@ambassador8524]

And the ugliest

[@f.m.4138]

What happens to decision-making when you promote leadership in the armed services and defense industry based on politics and social engineering rather than merit: the Zumwalt. The most overpriced and useless weapons platform ever. Thanks DEI.

[@entropy_of_principles]

God help America !

[@garyyoung4074]

The comments of arm chair experts is often negative and short sighted. Zumwalts as well as the B-2 were ridiculasly expensive because they pushed the boundery of technology FAR ahead of it's time. That is: 1. a bit of a risk the tech will work, 2. a work in progress (F-35 continual updates for example), as the tech is perfected. 3. Once perfected, the advances will take enemies years to catch up to. (B-58, F-111, F-22, etc.) These negative people say these programs are expensive "failures" when in fact, you must have a learning curve to move ahead with any advanced system. The Wright Flyer was a "failure" to these people because the brothers didn't invent the SST in 1909....right? I'm tired of the program bashing 20/20 HINDSIGHT persons trying to sound smart negatively bashing cutting edge programs that move us forward... learning from mistakes. Also, world situations change constantly. See the big picture people.