Exclusive: US Navy Plans Tomahawk Cruise Missile Evaluation from Zumwalt-Class Destroyer as Offensive Strike Role Expands.

According to the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report from the U.S. Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), released in January 2025, the U.S. Navy is significantly enhancing the offensive capabilities of its Zumwalt-class destroyers by integrating both Tomahawk cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons through the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. These developments mark a pivotal transformation in the role and firepower of this advanced class of warships, positioning them as central assets in future naval surface strike operations.
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The Zumwalt-class destroyers are the U.S. Navy’s most advanced surface combatants, featuring a stealthy tumblehome hull design, integrated power system, and next-generation weaponry. Designed for multi-mission operations, including long-range strike, anti-air, and anti-surface warfare, the class is now being upgraded to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles and hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapons.  (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

In Fiscal Year 2025, the U.S. Navy plans to evaluate the Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers’ primary mission of offensive surface strike with live Tomahawk cruise missile launches. This will include shipborne strike planning events to assess the vessels’ readiness and effectiveness in executing long-range precision strikes. The Tomahawk cruise missile, a long-established asset in the Navy’s arsenal, remains critical for deep-strike operations against high-value targets. Its integration into the Zumwalt-class destroyers is expected to significantly bolster the U.S. Navy’s capacity to conduct precision land-attack missions from standoff ranges.

The latest evolution of the Tomahawk cruise missile is the Block V variant, which delivers major advancements in lethality, survivability, and target engagement. With a range exceeding 1,600 kilometers (approximately 1,000 miles), the missile flies at subsonic speeds (around 880 km/h) and uses a combination of GPS, inertial navigation systems, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) to reach its target with high accuracy. The Block V configuration includes two key sub-variants: the Block Va, or Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST), and the Block Vb, equipped with the Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System (JMEWS). The Block Va provides the ability to engage moving maritime targets, expanding the missile’s utility in naval warfare, while the Block Vb is optimized for engaging hardened or deeply buried land targets.

The Tomahawk’s warhead—particularly in the Block Vb configuration—offers a devastating mix of blast, fragmentation, and penetration effects, capable of neutralizing command centers, radar installations, bunkers, and key infrastructure. The missile is designed to strike with pinpoint precision, minimizing collateral damage while maximizing target destruction. Its loitering capability also allows it to circle the target area before final engagement, enabling dynamic retargeting in real-time via satellite link or secure communications with naval command centers.

Looking ahead, the U.S. Navy is preparing to evaluate the employment of the CPS hypersonic missile system aboard Zumwalt-class destroyers during Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation (FOT&E) in Fiscal Year 2027. The CPS program is developing a new hypersonic weapon capable of traveling at speeds above Mach 5, drastically reducing the time from launch to target impact and allowing the Navy to engage high-value, time-sensitive threats with unprecedented speed. The integration of CPS represents a strategic leap in U.S. naval strike capabilities, offering a powerful counter to advanced enemy air defenses.

The CPS program is structured in three phases. The first, Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping, has already demonstrated successful test flights, including an end-to-end flight of a prototype All-Up Round (AUR) in the third quarter of FY24. Although a later test in FY24 was delayed due to a system issue, it has since been resolved, with additional tests from both land-based and naval platforms scheduled in FY25. The second phase, MTA Rapid Fielding, includes a planned flight test from a Zumwalt-class destroyer and aims for initial operational capability in FY27. The final phase will transition CPS into a full Major Defense Acquisition Program, expanding deployment across all Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class submarines.

The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers—USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), and USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002)—represent a cutting-edge shift in naval design and capability. These stealth warships feature a distinctive tumblehome hull form, dramatically reducing their radar cross-section, and an Integrated Power System (IPS) that allows for efficient power distribution across propulsion and onboard systems, including future weapon technologies.

Initially equipped with two Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) for naval gunfire support, the Zumwalt-class suffered a major setback when the cost of its specialized Long Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) became unsustainable. As a result, the Navy opted to repurpose the ships for long-range missile strike roles, decommissioning the AGS and prioritizing missile armament. The destroyers also include 80 Mk 57 Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS) cells, capable of launching a range of munitions, including the latest Tomahawk variants. For close-in defense, the Mk 110 57mm cannons have been replaced by more effective Mk 46 30mm Gun Systems.

Currently, the U.S. Navy has two Zumwalt-class destroyers in active service, with USS Zumwalt commissioned in 2016 and USS Michael Monsoor in 2019. The third ship, USS Lyndon B. Johnson, is undergoing final outfitting and is expected to enter service in the near future. All three ships are being modified to support the CPS hypersonic missile system, with the first launch from a Zumwalt-class destroyer expected during the rapid fielding phase.

The U.S. Navy’s ongoing upgrades to the Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers—anchored by the integration of next-generation Tomahawk cruise missiles and CPS hypersonic weapons—mark a significant transformation in their role from land-attack support to front-line surface strike dominance. These developments underscore the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a technological edge and readiness for high-intensity conflict in a rapidly evolving global security environment.