Earlier this year, US Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday told USNI News that he is planning to add hypersonic missiles to the Zumwalt destroyer class. According to Gilday, this is the fundamental plan for the near future. The Navy is still deciding on how to use the 155mm Anti-Submarine Gun System(ASGS) currently mounted on Zumwalt ships.
Zumwalt was designed originally to provide antiaircraft, antisurface and naval surface fire support for ground forces. This program was initiated as part of 21st Century Destroyer's 1991 program. The goal of the program was to design a ship that would not need to be detected by radar. The ships would be able to operate under complete darkness. However, the Zumwalts' performance has failed to meet the original cost estimate. For each ship, the cost is estimated to be around $3.3 billion.
The Zumwalt destroyer class is a large and powerful ship that is designed to serve as a multi-mission stealth combat ship. Its deckhouse is constructed of rugged lightweight composites. The ship has a low radar cross-section, and lower acoustic signature. A Total Ship Computing Environment Infrastructure is also featured on the ship. This system allows for integration of radar, navigation and communications. An integrated multi-function mast is included on the ship.
Zumwalt-class destroyers use the MK57 Vertical Launching System. This system allows for the installation of a wide variety of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine missiles. Modularity is a key feature of this system's electronic architecture. This makes it easy to change launcher control software as needed for each new missile.
Zumwalt-class destroyers have also been designed with an Advanced Gun System. This system has been developed to increase rate of fire, fire projectiles with greater precision, and reduce operational crew headcount. It will also provide a three-fold increase in the amount of naval surface fire coverage. The battery is expected to fire rocket-assisted Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) and will be able to provide precision strikes.
Zumwalt's destroyer class has a drastically reduced radar cross section. The ship's radar cross-section is reduced, and it can also operate with a lower acoustic signature.
Advanced automated damage-control systems allow the ship to perform automatic firefighting and damage control. This system has integrated S and X band radar capabilities. This system can detect and automatically search surfaces, providing automatic surface search capabilities. Zumwalt AFSS reduces the number of crew members needed for damage control.
Two sets of hypersonic rocket tubes are expected to be used in the construction of the ship. The Hypersonic Cruise Missile Tubes (HCMTs) can reach hypersonic speed, which is four times the speed of sound. These tubes can be easily installed without extensive deck replacement.
Zumwalt-class destroyers also feature a large electrical capacity, which is expected to allow for the installation of future laser weapons. The ship's large electrical capacity is expected to enable the use a number of electromagnetic railguns. These guns shoot projectiles using no gunpowder.