U.S. Navy's USS Zumwalt Set to Test Hypersonic Capabilities by Year-End

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The U.S. Navy is preparing to conduct at-sea trials of its USS Zumwalt destroyer, now equipped with advanced hypersonic missile technology, by the end of this year. Captain Clint Lawler, the program manager, confirmed that the Zumwalt has recently undergone significant modernization to install four missile tubes capable of launching up to 12 hypersonic munitions.

This upgrade marks a departure from the vessel's original function, which included a 155mm gun system that has since been dismantled to make way for the new capabilities. The modernization began last year at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where systems were reconfigured around the missile tubes.

In addition to the Zumwalt, the USS Lyndon B. Johnson is also being retrofitted for similar capabilities. Captain Lawler noted that this transition includes extending the activation period for the destroyer's combat systems to ensure successful integration of the hypersonic missiles.

The Zumwalt-class, initially conceived in the early 2000s, was intended for ground support but will now serve as a critical offensive platform with the integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon system. This strategic enhancement aims to provide the Navy with a robust capability for engaging high-value targets over long distances.

The Navy anticipates that Zumwalt-class ships could begin deploying hypersonic technology as soon as 2026, positioning them as key assets in future naval warfare.

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