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USS Zumwalt Completes Builder’s Sea Trials After Hypersonic Conversion

The lead destroyer’s refit positions the class to support C‑HGB testing with initial fielding dependent on the weapons program schedule.

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The United States destroyer USS Zumwalt arrives at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan for a scheduled port visit on September 26, 2022.
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Zumwalt-Class, the largest destroyer on Earth today.

Overview

  • HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding and the Navy finished builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt off Mississippi, validating ship and combat systems after the CPS integration.
  • The conversion removed the twin 155mm Advanced Gun Systems and installed large hypersonic missile tubes, with an official presentation reported to show four cells carrying 12 CPS rounds.
  • Zumwalt briefly went to sea Jan. 15–16 for the first time since 2023 as part of the post‑refit trials sequence before the formal completion announcement.
  • Program officials say the ship will be prepared to support tests of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body and to reach initial operational capability when the broader test schedule allows.
  • Sister ship DDG‑1002 is now receiving CPS at Ingalls, and DDG‑1001 is slated to get the system during a future availability, indicating a phased rollout across the class.