The US Navy plans to equip Zumwalt-type destroyers with hypersonic missiles in 2025. This was announced by Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, Director of Strategic Systems Programs, according to Defense News reports.
He noted that the Navy plans to complete the development of hypersonic missiles together with the Army in 2023. According to Wolfe, the next stage will be the design and development of the missile’s integration with the hull and the ship’s combat information and control system.
In parallel, engineers will work on the physics of launching an underwater missile before deploying hypersonic weapons on Virginia-class submarines in 2029.
It is stated that the Navy plans to equip the first submarine with hypersonic missiles in 2028. The timeline was changed due to delays in the construction of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) and the Arizona submarine.