Navy Repurposed Zumwalt Destroyers for Hypersonic Missiles
The U.S. Navy shifted the focus of its stealth destroyer fleet from shore bombardment to hypersonic strike capabilities.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Military
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The U.S. Navy has repurposed its Zumwalt-class destroyers as primary platforms for the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic weapon system. This transition follows the cancellation of the original gun-based shore bombardment program.
Why it matters
The Navy pivoted the fleet to gain long-range kinetic strike capabilities against defended targets after determining the costs of the original artillery program were unsustainable.
The original Advanced Gun System required purpose-made 155mm shells that cost $1 million each. Each of the three remaining Zumwalt-class ships is being refitted to carry a dozen Conventional Prompt Strike missiles.
The players
U.S. Navy
The maritime branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for naval warfare and the operation of the nation's fleet.
U.S. Army
The land service branch of the United States Armed Forces that shares common hypersonic technology development with the Navy.
The details
The integration process involves placing missiles into the existing stealth hulls of the destroyers. The program relies on the Common Hypersonic Glide Body technology, which is also utilized by the U.S. Army to ensure operational commonality.
Timeline
The original conception and planning for the Zumwalt-class fleet occurred during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Political Context
The Conventional Prompt Strike weapon program faces scrutiny from critics who argue that the shift toward high-cost hypersonic platforms complicates regional defense spending priorities. Opponents often highlight the technical complexity and unverified production rates as significant hurdles for the rapid deployment of this capability.
The shift toward hypersonic strike capabilities reallocates military funding previously earmarked for traditional shore-based artillery systems. Citizens may see changes in naval procurement priorities and defense budgets as the military focuses on long-range kinetic strike systems.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates the military's willingness to pivot expensive legacy platforms toward modern strategic threats rather than scrapping them entirely. This shift highlights how advancements in hypersonic technology are reshaping the role of existing naval assets in modern warfare.
Further reading
For additional context on naval modernization, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 19FortyFive.
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