The A.S.S. Zumwalt is currently undergoing a two-year modernization process to install the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile system. The installation of the CPS will represent a leap forward in the offensive capabilities of the Zumwalt— but it’s unlikely to redeem the beleaguered class enough to justify the platform’s spending.

What is the conventional rapid strike system?

According to CPS developer Lockheed Martin, CPS “is a hypersonic boost-glide missile development and test program that provides longer range, shorter flight times and high survivability against enemy defenses.” . That’s corporate speak for a weapon that flies exceptionally fast. Capable of exceeding speeds of Mach 5 (or a mile per second), hypersonic weapons could offer the possibility of launching conventional precision-guided weapons at a target anywhere in the world, in as little as an hour. In theory, such capabilities offer rapid responses, similar to an intercontinental ballistic missile, with more flexible deployment options, i.e. Zumwalt-class destroyer.

THE Zumwalt is expected to be fully equipped with the CPS sometime in 2025. The Navy awarded $154.8 million to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to modernize the Zumwalt with the CPS system. “The contract, which is scheduled for completion by September 2025, replace the original twin 155mm advanced gun systems on the destroyer with four 87-inch missile tubes,” USNI reported last year.

The four 87-inch tubes of the CPS system will each contain three Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGB) hypersonic missiles, which are “part of the Pentagon’s conventional strategic weapons systems that can strike any target on the planet with a minimum warning.

However, the deployment of C-HGB could be delayed, which would delay the system maintenance period. Zumwaltaccording to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). “If the hypersonic weapon is not ready for integration on the DDG 1000 at the time of the aforementioned maintenance period, the Navy may have to extend the duration of the scheduled maintenance period or wait until the next scheduled period to integrate the system on the ship. ”, reported the GAO.

Regardless of CPS installation or C-HGB deployment schedule, the Zumwalt It is unlikely to be fully redeemed as a class.

Redeem the Zumwalt

THE Zumwalt was once touted as the future of the United States Navy, with plans for a fleet of thirty-two ships. But budget overruns and performance problems caused the Navy to abandon the project after acquiring just three ships and instead rely on the destroyer the Zumwalt was supposed to replace, the Arleigh Burke.

Before the project was canceled, the Navy invested $24 billion in the project. Zumwalt. For such a heavy investment to be worthwhile, the product must be mass produced. With only three Zumwalts produced, that means each ship cost $8 billion. This is an expensive destroyer (keep in mind that Nimitz(US-class aircraft carriers cost around $7-8 billion). Had a production for the Zumwalt If operations continued as planned, costs per vessel would have fallen significantly. But with the socket drawn, the price per ship will remain enormous.

CPS installation unlikely to deliver on Zumwalt’s value proposition it’s worth it.

About the author:

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with more than 1,000 total articles on issues related to global affairs. A lawyer, pilot, guitarist, and minor professional hockey player, Harrison joined the United States Air Force as a trainee pilot, but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MS from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

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