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USS Zumwalt prepares for hypersonic weapon integration

The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) sails through the Pacific Ocean, April 13, 2022. Photo: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Sypert.

US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt is underway to a new homeport in Pascagoula as it prepares for upgrades to carry a new hypersonic weapon system.

US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt is underway to a new homeport in Pascagoula as it prepares for upgrades to carry a new hypersonic weapon system.

The Zumwalt Class lead ship left its former homeport of San Diego earlier this week on 1 August as it makes its way to Mississippi.

The ship will enter a modernisation period and receive technology upgrades for the integration of the boost-glide Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapons system.

The CPS consists of a two-stage solid rocket motor booster and a common hypersonic glide body containing a kinetic energy projectile warhead.

The US Navy has scheduled to operate the hypersonic weapon system in the field aboard Zumwalt Class warships in 2025 and achieve initial operational capability aboard Virginia Class submarines in 2029.

The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) guided-missile destroyer has previously been used for live fire missile exercises of Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D) and the Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) for air defence testing in 2022.

Robert Dougherty

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.
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