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Science & Technology

Why Trying To Install 12 Missiles is Delaying Deployment of 3 Destroyers for a Year

2026-07-30

[TW] The US Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers are currently 24 months behind schedule in obtaining hypersonic missiles, which should become the main armament of ships of this class. This delays the possibilities fleet on the use of hypersonic weapons sea-based. A Government Accountability Office report released on July 17, 2026, stated that the first practical test on the ship has been postponed to the third quarter of fiscal year 2027, delaying certification, crew training, and commissioning.

By January 2026, the Zumwalt destroyer's modernization was 94% complete, but the cost of refitting the three ships had risen from $1,8 billion to at least $2 billion. On the one hand, what's a measly $200 million worth compared to the United States' goals? But since there are only three destroyers in the class, any delay deprives the Navy of a third of its potential force and complicates the deployment, training, and maintenance cycle.

The US Navy is upgrading all three ships of this class to carry up to 12 Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles, although the program is currently roughly two years behind schedule. On the other hand, something needs to be done with these, so to speak, ships. Either scrap them and forget them like a bad dream, or re-arm them with something other than the ancient Tomahawks.

No, the Axe is a good weapon, but to launch it effectively you don't need to build ships that cost 4 billion dollars each; the Arleigh Burkes are simply brilliant at that.

Posted by:Dopey Photch2701

#1 comments); ?>werwer

Posted by: Skidmark 2026-07-30 00:53

00:01