Page 13: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2022)

er Zum l Z Zumwalt-cl lass g ided- i sil d uid d mis ile destroyer

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) transits to San Francisco in support of

San S Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW) 2021. .

U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Emily D’Italia/Released cisely at the same time, such that the rounds could impact a carry seven subsonic Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, different side of a structure at exactly the same time. The fact also installed in the VPM. Each Zumwalt-class destroyer that the rounds cost as much as a Tomahawk missile doomed would be capable of housing four APMs, and thus up to 12 this projectile, and that doomed the gun, which together ne- CPS AURs could be carried in the space currently occupied cessitated a new purpose for the ship. by the forward AGS gun and its associated magazine equip-

Because the Zumwalts have considerable power margin, ment below decks. The option exists to do the same for the they were looked at as a platform for a new rail gun. But de- after AGS gun.

spite a signi? cant development investment by the Navy, there Today, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Mon- is no current rail gun production program. soor (DDG 1001) are in commission, while the third, the fu-

The ships remain lethal with 80 peripheral vertical launch ture USS Lyndon Baines Johnson (DDG 1002), is undergoing system tubes that can launch Tomahawk and other missiles, sea trials. Even though the program dates back to the 1990s, with the size margin for even bigger missiles yet to enter ser- they are built on cutting-edge technology that is new to the vice. But the AGS gun mounts and associated ammunition Navy. They are assigned to Surface Development Squadron storage and handling system, which extends several decks be- One (SURFDEVRON One), which is working with the Sur- low the guns, will be removed. And that creates an opportunity. face and Mine Warfare Development Center (SMWDC) on to

That opportunity is to the make DDG 1000 a hypersonic ? nd the best way to use the incredible capabilities possessed strike missile platform. The Navy’s current plan is to replace by these ships. the gun and associated equipment with the Advanced Payload According to Capt. Jeff Heames, commander of SURFDEV-

Module (APM), the same one intended for the Block V Vir- RON One, DDG 1000 is an opportunity for the surface force. ginia-class submarines, to carry the hypersonic Conventional “We’ve been able to evolve, taking the best parts of the origi-

Prompt Strike (CPS) missile. That weapon reportedly has a nal design, while at the same time exploring new opportuni- 1,700-mile range and can travel at a speed greater than Mach 5. ties for the class. Installing the Conventional Prompt Strike

According to the Navy, three CPS missiles can be carried in weapon system on the Zumwalt class is one example. I be- the Advanced Payload Module (APM) which will be installed lieve the Zumwalt class has potential to inspire new war? ght- in the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), this is analogous to ing capabilities and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) the Multiple All-Up-Round Canisters (MACs) that normally for the ? eet.” www.marinelink.com 13

MR #1 (1-17).indd 13 1/6/2022 9:45:47 AM