US Navy Upgrades USS Zumwalt with Hypersonic Missiles for Indo-Pacific Operations
The USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) has entered dry dock for critical upgrades including the integration of Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (C-HGBs) as part of an $8 billion modernization effort for the Zumwalt-class destroyers. This upgrade reflects a shift from its original design aimed at naval gunfire support to a long-range strike platform.
By mid-2028, all three Zumwalt-class destroyers and up to three Virginia-class submarines equipped with hypersonic missiles are expected to be based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. The transformation is scheduled for completion by May 2026, with additional Virginia-class submarines also being prepared for expanded strike roles.
By 2030, the U.S. Navy anticipates operating five hypersonic-capable vessels from Pearl Harbor to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
