tech
April 4, 2026
Cost of Zumwalt-class destroyers surged from $1.6 to $9.5 billion per ship: Pentagon now invests in hypersonic weapons
The United States is entering a new phase in the development of hypersonic weapons after the Pentagon approved a $1.356 billion contract modification with Lockheed Martin on March 31 to accelerate the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program. This project aims to equip the U.S. Navy with operational sea-based hypersonic weapons for the first time.
TL;DR
- The U.S. Navy is entering a new phase of hypersonic weapons development with a $1.356 billion contract modification for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program.
- The CPS program aims to provide the U.S. Navy with its first operational sea-based hypersonic weapon system.
- The new system will be integrated onto the Zumwalt-class destroyers, which have faced significant cost overruns and production cuts.
- The USS Zumwalt has undergone modifications, replacing its 155mm artillery system with 12 launch tubes for CPS missiles.
- This development occurs amidst a global race in hypersonic technology, with China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran also advancing their capabilities.
- The U.S. CPS system uses a common glide-stage hypersonic warhead, offering long range and high precision with a conventional warhead.
- A risk associated with the system is the potential misinterpretation of its launch as a nuclear attack by early warning systems of rival powers.