The US Navy’s stealth destroyer USS Zumwalt is being upgraded with an experimental hypersonic weapon system called Conventional Prompt Strike.
Hypersonic weapons are considered the next step in non-nuclear warfare. This weapon allows for quick, accurate destruction of targets at a greater distance than conventional weapons, according to Live Science reported on December 12. Hypersonic weapons move at 5 times the speed of sound, also known as “Mach 5” – approximately 6,160 km/h.
The destroyer USS Zumwalt sailed through the Pacific Ocean on April 13. Image: Reuters
Conventional Prompt Strike is launched like a ballistic missile, but is then propelled by a hypersonic glide vehicle. This vehicle is capable of moving at speeds of up to Mach 8 – approximately 9,880 km/h. Each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be deployed with four launch tubes, each containing three Conventional Prompt Strike missiles.
When fired at long range, hypersonic missiles can be intercepted by advanced defense systems. After detecting an incoming missile, the defense system will predict the flight path and launch an interceptor missile. Hypersonic missiles are often maneuverable, making them difficult to shoot down, although much of the development focus to date has been on maneuverability for accuracy, not evasion. They often tend to rely on speeds that are too fast for the detection system to react.
The degree of maneuverability also depends on the position of the rocket in orbit. Any object moving at great speed is subject to great forces, including wind resistance. Its momentum, which helps it keep its direction, means it takes enormous force to achieve even a small turn. Evasion maneuverability doesn’t provide much benefit; any turn will cause the missile to lose speed, which will make subsequent interception easier.
To overcome drag, hypersonic missiles often travel at altitudes up to 80 km above sea level. By comparison, conventional passenger aircraft have an optimal cruising altitude of 8 to 11 km. To achieve the necessary speed, hypersonic missiles need to minimize drag, and the air density is lower the higher it flies.
The US Government Audit Office said in September 2020 that each Zumwalt-class ship costs more than 9 billion USD, including research and development costs, compared to the expected price of 1.3 billion USD/ship last year. 1998. USS Zumwalt is the first in a class of three multi-mission guided missile destroyers that the US Navy says will make it difficult for opponents to confront. At 185 meters long and displacing up to 16,000 tons, the Zumwalt is “the world’s largest and most technologically advanced surface warship,” according to the US Navy.
The US announced at the end of 2021 that it would convert the Zumwalt ship to be equipped with the IRCPS medium-range hypersonic missile in 2024. The missile launcher will be installed in the Advanced Cannon System (AGS) position.