US Navy, Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers, advanced with hypersonic weapons The move reflects the navy’s ambitions to lead in future warfare technologies, despite the Zumwalt-class ships’ controversial past.
Zumwalt Class Destroyer: Technological Innovations and Challenges
Zumwalt-class destroyers, 7,5 billion dollar unit cost and controversial history. These ships, with advanced technologies, were initially designed for land attack capabilities. However, they are armed with 155 mm guns Advanced Weapon System (AGS), the unit cost of the bullets $800 to $1 million The cancellation of these ships due to the fact that they were between 1960 and 1970 brought the effectiveness of these ships into question.
The Zumwalt-class ships still stand out as the Navy’s most advanced surface combatant ships, with the following features:
- Electric Drive System: It ensures the silent operation of the ship.
- Angled Hull and Composite Deck House: Minimizes radar signature.
- Automatic Fire and Damage Control Systems: It offers enhanced security and operational flexibility.
Hypersonic Weapon Transformation: Zumwalt's New Mission
Zumwalt-class destroyers, hypersonic weapon systems It plays a critical role in modern warfare technologies by integrating. Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) These ships, which will be equipped with a system called "Surface Attack", will have the capacity to launch precise and high-speed attacks in overseas regions.
Features of Hypersonic Weapons
- Speed: It can move at five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) or faster.
- Maneuverability: It is difficult to detect and hit by radar and defense systems.
- Range: It can reach targets thousands of kilometers away.
Each Zumwalt-class destroyer carries three missiles each four missile tubes with a total of 12 hypersonic weapons is being restructured to carry.
Modernization Works
Zumwalt, August 2023in Mississippi Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) It was brought to the shipyard. Here, hypersonic missile tubes were installed to replace the old weapons systems. After these modifications, the ship will begin preparations for further testing and return to the navy.
Navy conducts hypersonic system tests on Zumwalt In 2027-2028 plans to launch. The full integration and operationalization of the system is Until the end of 2026 will be completed.
Strategic Importance of Hypersonic Technology
The United States is accelerating its efforts to avoid falling behind China and Russia in the race to develop hypersonic weapons technology. China's DF-27 medium-range hypersonic missile and Russia's hypersonic attack systems are forcing the United States to take faster steps in this area.
Department of Defense Critical Technologies Office Director James Weber stated that hypersonic weapons are vital to ensuring the national security of the United States.
“Fielding new capabilities based on hypersonic technologies is our priority to strengthen our integrated deterrent.”
Cost Discussions
The cost of hypersonic weapons has drawn the attention of critics. According to the Congressional Budget OfficeThe purchase of 300 hypersonic weapons and the cost of 20 years of operation are approximately 18 billion dollars Critics argue that this cost is high relative to the missile’s targets.
However, retired Navy Rear Admiral Ray Spicer emphasizes that despite the high cost of these weapons, rival countries have similar capabilities and the U.S. must make these investments to avoid being left behind.
Conclusion: Future Security with Technological Investment
The conversion of Zumwalt-class destroyers into hypersonic weapons platforms represents the U.S. Navy’s effort to adapt to the modern warfighting environment. Although the costs are a matter of debate, these weapons could to carry out precision attacks from thousands of kilometers away It will increase the deterrence capacity of the United States with its capabilities.
The Zumwalt refit and integration of hypersonic technology demonstrates that the U.S. Navy is prepared to meet global threats and is moving decisively to maintain its technological superiority.
