La US Navy avanza en las reformas y modernizaciones necesarias, que permitan emplear los destructores Clase \u201cZumwalt\u201d, como plataformas navales para el lanzamiento de Misiles Hipers\u00f3nicos, tal como afirmaron en Abr 2021 las autoridades de esa fuerza. Para ello, tres buques de esa clase Zumwalt, est\u00e1n siendo adaptados para la instalaci\u00f3n de 4 sistemas de tubos lanzadores verticales, cada uno de los cuales dispondr\u00e1 de 3 misiles hipers\u00f3nicos. La principal modificaci\u00f3n consiste en quitar uno de los dos ca\u00f1ones autom\u00e1ticos calibre 155mm existentes en la proa, ya que la misi\u00f3n inicialmente asignada a estas plataformas era el apoyo de fuego cercano en operaciones de desembarco de las propias fuerzas. Con la incorporaci\u00f3n de misiles hipers\u00f3nicos, estos buques incrementan sensiblemente su poder de fuego y capacidades.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Navy is gearing up to test its first at-sea platform equipped with the Pentagon\u2019s hypersonic missile system, with the USS Zumwalt set for trials by the end of this year. Clint Lawler.<\/p>\n
The Zumwalt has recently returned to operational waters following significant modernization, including installing four missile tubes for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system.<\/p>\n
During the Surface Navy Association national symposium, program manager Captain Clint Lawler informed\u00a0USNI News<\/em>\u00a0that the 16,000-ton destroyer had undergone extensive modifications at HII\u2019s Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi.<\/p>\n Since it arrived in 2023, the ship has removed its forward 155mm gun mount, making way for the four missile tubes. Each tube will have the capacity to launch three missiles, providing up to 12 hypersonic munitions.<\/p>\n Hypersonic weapons<\/strong><\/p>\n The modernization process began last year when shipyard\u00a0personnel<\/a>\u00a0removed the existing gun system, and the associated magazine and loading mechanisms located several decks down in the bow section.<\/p>\n Following this, new decks and systems were installed around the missile tubes, while the Zumwalt\u2019s rear gun mount remains intact, featuring auto-loading systems and magazines.<\/p>\n In another exciting development, the USS Lyndon B. Johnson is now undergoing its transformation to accommodate the CPS missile system.<\/p>\n The destroyer was dry-docked at Huntington Ingalls Industries\u2019 Pascagoula Shipyard last Sunday.<\/p>\n Lawler noted that the Johnson will be the second Zumwalt-class vessel to integrate the large vertical launch system for hypersonic missiles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n To facilitate this installation, the combat system activation timeline has been extended by two years.<\/p>\n Capt. Lawler explained, \u201cWe placed the CPS work on contract in August, and we\u2019ve lined up Johnson for land-level production now that it\u2019s dry-docked.\u201d<\/p>\n The USS Michael Monsoor is also scheduled for this conversion but will continue to serve while the other two ships receive their upgrades.<\/p>\n This strategic plan allows the Navy to leverage learning opportunities from Monsoor\u2019s service even as Zumwalt and Johnson advance toward hypersonic capabilities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Zumwalt class, with its advanced stealth design and integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon system, will serve as the Navy\u2019s foremost offensive surface combatant. It will deliver sea-based precision capabilities essential for engaging strategic targets with long-range fire,\u201d emphasized Lawler.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Guided-missile fleet<\/strong><\/p>\n While the Zumwalt and Monsoor are being retrofitted to accommodate hypersonic technology, the Johnson\u2019s enhancements are underway.<\/p>\n