Breaking News: US HII Undocks USS Zumwalt First US Navy Stealth Destroyer Ready to Launch Hypersonic Missiles.

Following a comprehensive modernization effort, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully undocked on December 6, 2024, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class of guided missile destroyers. This significant milestone marks the culmination of a transformation that positions the USS Zumwalt as the first warship in the U.S. Navy capable of launching hypersonic missiles. This advancement redefines its strategic role in modern naval warfare and showcases its cutting-edge capabilities.
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USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is successfully undocked at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding facility on December 6, 2024, marking a significant milestone in transforming into the first U.S. Navy ship equipped to launch hypersonic missiles. (Picture source: HII)

As part of the upgrades, the ship’s original twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems were removed and replaced with missile tubes designed to accommodate the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system. This integration enables the USS Zumwalt to deploy hypersonic missiles—high-speed, precision weapons capable of striking targets at speeds exceeding Mach 5. Each of the ship’s four missile tubes can house three CPS missiles, giving the Zumwalt a total of 12 hypersonic weapons. This capability dramatically enhances the ship’s offensive range and survivability, enabling it to strike high-value targets in contested environments where traditional weapons might falter.

The USS Zumwalt represents the most advanced surface combatant in the U.S. Navy, built for multi-mission versatility and equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. Its wave-piercing tumblehome hull design enhances stealth, reducing its radar cross-section to that of a small fishing vessel. The ship’s electric propulsion system, powered by an Integrated Power System (IPS), generates an unparalleled 78 megawatts of power—enough to meet the energy demands of a small town. This system drives the ship and supports its advanced sensors, weapons, and future upgrades, such as directed energy weapons. The ship’s AN/SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar and Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) provide advanced tracking, command, and control capabilities, while its modular mission systems ensure adaptability to emerging threats.

The USS Zumwalt is an extraordinary engineering achievement, boasting a displacement of approximately 15,700 tons, making it one of the largest and most powerful destroyers ever built. The ship is 610 feet long, with a beam of 80.7 feet, and has a draft of 27.6 feet. Despite its size, the Zumwalt is designed for low observability, with its angular shape and stealth coatings reducing its radar cross-section to a fraction of that of traditional warships. It can achieve speeds of 30 knots thanks to its advanced electric propulsion system, which allows for smooth, efficient operation in diverse naval missions.

The integration of hypersonic missile capabilities marks a pivotal shift in the U.S. Navy USS Zumwalt’s combat potential. Hypersonic missiles, which travel at extraordinary speeds while maintaining precise maneuverability, offer unparalleled advantages in modern conflicts. Within minutes, they can strike targets at long ranges, effectively neutralizing high-value assets and critical infrastructure. This capability is particularly significant in regions like the Indo-Pacific and Arctic, where the ability to engage distant targets swiftly is essential for maintaining operational superiority.

The USS Zumwalt’s enhanced capabilities align with its mission to conduct deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control operations. With its stealthy design, advanced sensors, and hypersonic strike capability, the ship is uniquely positioned to dominate in contested environments and support the Navy’s broader strategic objectives.

The ship’s undocking is a crucial step toward its reentry into the fleet, with operational testing of its new systems expected to begin by 2027 or 2028. Once testing is complete, the USS Zumwalt will return to active service, equipped to play a central role in future naval operations. Its modernization underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain maritime superiority and address emerging global threats. The USS Zumwalt and its sister ships in the class are set to redefine the future of naval warfare. Their integration of hypersonic missile systems, combined with advanced design and combat systems, ensures their continued relevance as multi-mission platforms capable of adapting to the dynamic challenges of 21st-century conflicts.