It’s been over a decade since the creation of the Zumwalt-class destroyer, and it's time for an upgrade. The U.S. Navy is looking to take its most advanced and latest class of warship to new heights with some serious improvements. As the focus of American warfare shifts from the Middle East to Europe and Asia, many experts believe that much-needed upgrades to the ship are what will allow us to continue having the most elite fleet on the high seas. Read next:The USS Zumwalt Is a Multi-Billion Dollar Mistake

What Happened to the Zumwalt-Class Destroyer?

To put things kindly, the Zumwalt-class destroyer from Raytheon Missiles & Defense hasn’t had the best go of things. Despite being created in 2009, Zumwalt-class destroyers were only commissioned beginning in 2016. So far, the warships have seen anything but smooth sailing. There was the USS Zumwalt, which broke down in 2016, the USS Michael Monsoor failing sea trials in 2017, reports stating that multiple functions weren’t up to par in 2018, and even more reports that the ships were lacking a mix of defensive measures commonplace to other warships. Simply put, it’s been a bit of a mess. Luckily, it seems that improvements in both offense and defense are underway. These improvements will surely help align them closer with the operational effectiveness the Navy is looking to achieve. “We intend to upgrade its mission systems. We intend to employ its stealthy capabilities, its passive detection, its (mission bay), the ability to integrate undersea unmanned capabilities, surface unmanned capabilities and to really use it as an all-domain platform that can collect. It can sense,” said U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Sam Paparo. “It can execute rapid disorienting fires and can do so in contested environments to be a difference maker and an enabling capability. This year was (the) first step. It was exciting. We tested her. We wrung out its crew. We built confidence in our ability to sustain her. We put her to sea for long periods of time. We gained confidence in her propulsion systems and her weapon systems,” he continued.

Upgraded Defensive Measures and Improved Radar

New upgrades are coming to the Zumwalt-class destroyers, including defensive measures to fend off submarines. There are guided missiles, new radar, and anti-submarine warfare components being added by the Navy. Known as the Zumwalt Enterprise Upgrade Solution (ZEUS), the upgrades would include an AN/SPY-6 radar and Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missiles to bolster its capabilities. But before ZEUS can become a reality, the Navy is looking to improve its Total Ship Computing Environment infrastructure (TSCEi) with upgrades in a separate yet imperative move. Sailors may be getting both the MK 41 Vertical Launch System software and the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) added through ZEUS.

Did Someone Say Hypersonic Missiles?

In addition to improved radar and defensive measures, Zumwalt-class destroyers will soon carry hypersonic missiles. The Navy is also looking to add hypersonic missiles to the lead Zumwalt-class ship, the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), as part of its 18-month maintenance scheduled for late 2023. The specific timing and nature of such upgrades should be anything but a surprise. For years, China has invested considerable resources into hypersonic missiles while the U.S. is now playing catch-up. Considering the time that the USS Zumwalt has spent in the Pacific, it’s a logical move. Hypersonic missiles can travel at hypersonic speeds and are increasingly difficult to stop. Their speed and lethality make them an attractive choice for striking a target quickly and effectively.

How Many Zumwalt-Class Destroyers Are There?

Initially, 32 warships were to be created, but things obviously didn’t go so well, and the U.S. now has three total, with the remaining now canceled. To put things into perspective, these issues, as concerning as they may be, become that much more considering the cost of Zumwalt-class destroyers ranges from $4.2 billion to $4.4 billion per warship. But nevertheless, the three that we do have are still expensive, advanced measures to help defend American interests. These warships are still in service, and now, there look to be solutions coming to correct what they're lacking in defensive capabilities. With the addition of hypersonic missiles and other advancements, the future looks bright for the Zumwalt-class destroyer. This also means a brighter future for the American Armed Forces as a whole. Suggested read:How the USS New York Is a Living 9/11 Memorial

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