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The mention of Zumwalt, a US Navy ship dubbed the "battleship of the future", cannot help but sigh that this ship is really the pinnacle of the US military-industrial complex, fully reflecting their ambitions, but also becoming a thorn in the heart. Whether it is equipment or design, it shows the "cowhide" of the strength of the US military industry, but in practical application, it is like an expensive bubble burst. Recently, the U.S. Navy once again invested in this "fiscal black hole."
According to US media reports, the official website of Huntington Ingalls Industries admitted that they were awarded a military contract worth $154.8 million for the modification of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt, the first destroyer of the US Navy, the Zumwalt type. Although the ship arrived at the shipyard on August 19, the contract was not finalized until recently. The main focus of this modification is to replace the 155mm "advanced artillery system" with a "conventional rapid strike" missile system with a very low cost performance to improve combat effectiveness.
Diving into U.S. naval history, Zumwalt's design philosophy is imbued with American nostalgia for the "glory of the seas" of the past. However, the design and performance of this modern warship cast doubt on its practical value. In particular, its 155mm "advanced artillery system", whose ammunition is customized and the high cost of separate production, leads to high firing costs, and the lethality and accuracy are not comparable to conventional missiles. This modification actually means that the United States is abandoning this unrealistic dream of "giant ship artillery".
Regarding the "conventional rapid strike" missile system used in this upgrade, the acronym CPS actually stands for "hypersonic boost-glide weapon system." The system is similar to the U.S. Army's hypersonic weapons program, LRHW, and even shares the same missile warhead. The only difference is that Zumwalt employs a cold launch system in pursuit of better surface stealth performance. This is also an important step for the US military to realize the actual combat of hypersonic weapons.
Not long ago, the United States decided to retire its littoral combat ships, and the outside world speculated whether it would throw Zumwalt into the dustbin of history. However, the US Navy, like gamblers, continues to bet on Zumwalt, either they are completely crazy or they are facing some kind of imminent crisis.
After much deliberation, I believe that this looming crisis is likely to be a serious threat to the rise of China's maritime power, especially the widespread use of hypersonic anti-ship missiles. China's 055 large destroyer can carry the YJ-21 missile, Russia's Admiral Gorshkov carries the Optimus missile, and the United States? This may be one of the important reasons why the United States decided to continue investing in Zumwalt. After all, the United States now has limited options, aircraft carriers are no longer new, destroyers and cruisers face problems, and littoral combat ships are even more questionable. So, Zumwalt may be the only opportunity the United States can seize at the moment. Whether it is up to the task depends on how much strength the U.S. Navy has left.
In summary, the Zumwalt's upgrade reflects the real-world challenges facing the U.S. Navy, particularly from the rise of the Chinese Navy and advances in hypersonic weapons technology. The refit is an effort to improve Zumwalt's combat effectiveness, but it also highlights the U.S. Navy's dilemma in the field of modern warships. The United States needs to seriously address these challenges to ensure that its navy continues to play an important role on the global stage. Only by remaining innovative and adaptable can we respond to evolving threats and competition.
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