From costly blunder to cutting-edge weapon: How the US Navy is turning the USS Zumwalt into a global game-changer

The US Navy is rewriting the narrative of the USS Zumwalt, a $7.5 billion destroyer that was once deemed a costly misstep, by transforming it into a platform for next-generation hypersonic missile systems.

Docked at a Mississippi shipyard, the futuristic warship is undergoing a dramatic retooling to host the Navy’s first-ever hypersonic weapons aboard a surface vessel. The revamp replaces the original, never-used weapon systems—shelved due to exorbitant costs—with cutting-edge missiles that could revolutionize naval combat.

A strategic pivot for a “failed” warship

Initially dismissed as a budgetary blunder, the USS Zumwalt is now poised to become an ultramodern attack platform. Defense expert Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute noted, “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform.”

This technological upgrade is set to enable the ship to deliver rapid, precise strikes over vast distances, giving it a new lease on life and purpose within the fleet.

The global arms race heats up

The Zumwalt‘s transformation comes at a critical juncture in the global race for hypersonic supremacy. While the United States has been developing hypersonic weapons for over two decades, rival advancements by Russia and China have intensified the urgency to deploy these systems. Capable of reaching speeds above Mach 5—more than 3,800 mph—hypersonic weapons are nearly impossible to intercept, combining unparalleled speed with exceptional maneuverability.

At the forefront of this effort is the Navy and Army’s joint development of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) system. This innovative missile uses a glide vehicle capable of achieving speeds up to eight times the speed of sound, offering the United States an unprecedented capability for precision global strikes.

Cutting-edge tech meets sky-high costs

Despite its high-tech prowess, the Zumwalt has been dogged by controversy. Originally conceived as a land-attack platform equipped with rocket-assisted projectiles, the program faltered when the cost of each round skyrocketed. But the ship remains a technological marvel, featuring advanced stealth capabilities and an all-electric propulsion system.

Even with its eye-watering $7.5 billion price tag, experts argue that adding hypersonic missiles makes the investment worthwhile. The enemy has no effective defense against these weapons,” explained retired Rear Admiral Ray Spicer, adding: “We never want to be outdone.”

A bold gamble on the future of naval warfare

The Navy is betting big on this high-stakes overhaul. If testing proves successful, the Zumwalt could integrate hypersonic missiles into the fleet by 2027 or 2028. Though critics continue to question the cost-effectiveness of the program, one thing is clear: the Zumwalt now represents a daring leap forward in military innovation.

As the US pivots from past setbacks, the Zumwalt is poised to herald a new era of naval combat—one defined by unprecedented speed, precision, and strategic dominance.

Original article written by Mario Sáez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.

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