USS Zumwalt – the $7,5 billion ship: Developed in collaboration between the US Army and Navy, missiles are an undeniable strategic advantage in shaping the course of global security

Pentagon recently announced a significant milestone in strengthening the defense of the United States. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has been awarded a substantial $154,8 million contract to install hypersonic missiles on the guided missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), marking a bold step forward in the nation's defense capability. .

Under the aegis of the Pentagon, this transformation, scheduled to be completed by September 2025, will not only boost the nation's military capability but also realign the role of the Zumwalts in the Navy.

Watch the video below and get to know the USS Zumwalt – the $7,5 billion ship

The Pentagon is positioning the country to face the challenges of the future more effectively and assertively

The Zumwalts, with their twin 155mm advanced weapons systems, were destined to stand out, but now, they are about to receive a million-dollar upgrade that promises to raise their effectiveness to unprecedented heights. This transformation involves replacing the original weapons systems with four 87-inch missile tubes. The objective is clear: to incorporate the latest technology hypersonic missiles to address contemporary global security challenges.

Each of the four missile tubes will house three Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB), which represent the pinnacle of innovation in hypersonic missiles. Developed in collaboration between the US Army and Navy, These missiles have the ability to hit any target anywhere on the planet. This technology puts US national defense at a higher level in terms of deterrence and response to potential threats.

This contract for the USS Zumwalt follows a $10,5 million planning contract previously issued in January for the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), which is also part of the Zumwalt class. The USS Michael Monsoor is also scheduled to receive upgrades in the future, further cementing the United States' commitment to maintaining its ever-evolving naval force. Concurrently, USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002), which arrived at the HII shipyard in January 2022, is undergoing a combat systems activation in preparation for her strategic role.

"The Michael Monsoor will host the CPS facility at Ingalls during a future modernization period. Furthermore, the Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) arrived at Ingalls in January 2022 and is undergoing a combat systems activation,” says a statement from HII.

Hypersonic missiles are becoming a crucial point in the United States' defense strategy

The US Navy has a clear vision for the future of the Zumwalts. They are determined to have these weapons ready for testing by December 2025. However, challenges may arise along the way. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in June warned about the possibility of the C-HGB schedule deployment of the Zumwalts being later than planned due to delays in the weapon's development. In this case, the Navy may need to extend scheduled maintenance periods or wait for the next period to incorporate the system into the ship.

The Zumwalts, with their ability to launch hypersonic missiles, are becoming a crucial point in the defense strategy of the United States. They will play a vital role in deterring and responding to global threats. Furthermore, the ability to strike targets anywhere on the planet with minimal detection is an undeniable strategic advantage, further strengthening the US position on the international stage.