Navy putting first shipborne hypersonic weapon on vessel once seen as ‘costly blunder’

The U.S. Navy is planning to install its first shipborne hypersonic weapon on the USS Zumwalt, a ship that was previously criticized as a costly mistake. The hypersonic weapon, named Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS), is part of a broader push by the US military to develop high-speed, long-range missiles that can hit targets almost instantly.

The Zumwalt-class destroyers, initially planned to be a fleet of 32 ships, were reduced to just three due to cost overruns and technical problems. The ships faced criticism over their high costs and various design issues, earning the description of “costly blunder” in a DefenseNews report.

However, the Navy is now seeing the Zumwalt’s advanced power system and large size as ideal for hosting the new weapon system. The power system can provide enough energy for the high-energy weapons systems, and the ship’s size has plenty of space for the large weapon and its supporting systems.

So, despite initial criticism, the USS Zumwalt is on the path to becoming a critical asset in the Navy’s fleet with the addition of hypersonic weapons, highlighting its potential as a substantial force multiplier.