New Zumwalt Destroyer with 12 Hypersonic Missiles.
For many naval experts, the idea of an expensive stealthy destroyer was nothing more than a fantasy. And while the Zumwalt-class destroyer program has not gone as well as planned, a new plan to arm these vessels with hypersonic missiles could change things for the better. In early March 2022, the U.S. Navy announced that its Navy Strategic Systems Programs had awarded a $22.8 million contract to Lockheed Martin Space Systems to integrate hypersonic weapons aboard the three Zumwalt-class destroyers.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer will be the first US naval platform to feature hypersonic weapons. The first of the three 16,000 ton destroyers will have “at least two sets of hypersonic missile-tubes inserted on the port and starboard sides of the ship,” by 2025.
The most recent plan for adding hypersonic weapons to the Zumwalt-class guided-missile will involve removing the two massive 155 mm Advanced Gun Systems aboard the trio of destroyers.
When the availability is complete in 2025, Zumwalt will be armed with the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) developed for the Army, Air Force and the Navy, according to the Navy’s plan. The conventional prompt strike (CPS) concept extends a long-range strike capability for the U.S.
Now the entire section of five platforms, two gun rooms, the loading system, transfer carts and ammo will be removed by October 2023 to accommodate the C-HGB that is significantly larger than any missile in the USN inventory.
20 июн 2022
