USS Zumwalt, a stealth destroyer of the United States Navy, is undergoing upgrades to accommodate experimental hypersonic missiles under the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. Capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, these missiles represent a significant advance in non-nuclear warfare. According to reports, the enhanced capabilities will allow accurate and rapid strikes over vast distances, surpassing the range and effectiveness of conventional weapons.
What are hypersonic weapons?
Hypersonic missiles are designed for speed and accuracy exceeding Mach 5 — about 3,830 miles per hour, according to an AP News report. Unlike ballistic missiles, CPS systems use a hypersonic glide vehicle, capable of reaching Mach 8, or approximately 6,140 mph. Reports suggest that each Zumwalt-class destroyer will carry four launch tubes, each carrying three advanced missiles.
The system’s altitude capabilities further contribute to its effectiveness, with the missiles reaching up to 50 miles above sea level to minimize air resistance. Defense experts have noted in several statements that this high-altitude trajectory reduces drag and increases speed, making interception by advanced defense systems challenging.
Challenges in interception
While hypersonic missiles are difficult to detect and intercept due to their speed and trajectory, some challenges remain. Defense systems can predict missile paths and launch interceptor missiles, but the minimal mobility of hypersonic weapons complicates evasion efforts. Sources indicate the focus is on improving accuracy rather than agility, as sharp turns can reduce speed and increase vulnerability.
Zumwalt-class technology
The Zumwalt-class destroyers are known for cutting-edge technologies, including electric propulsion systems, low radar visibility and wave-piercing hulls. These features, combined with the CPS program, are expected to significantly enhance the Zumwalt’s strike capabilities, positioning it as a major player in modern naval warfare, the report said.
Testing of hypersonic systems aboard the USS Zumwalt is reportedly imminent, an important step toward integrating these advanced weapons into active naval operations.
