Lockheed Martin received $1.2bn to supply and integrate hypersonic missiles into the latest Zumwalt destroyer

On 17 February, the Navy entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin to supply hypersonic missiles. They will be integrated into the latest Zumwalt-class destroyers.

Here's What We Know

Lockheed Martin is developing Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) hypersonic missiles for the US Navy and US Army respectively. Both services use identical missiles, but employ different launchers.

The cost of the new contract was $1.2 billion. Under the agreement signed the day before, Lockheed Martin will provide the US Navy with launchers, fire control system, missiles and additional equipment.

Flashback

The Zumwalt class consists of three destroyers: USS Zumwalt, USS Michael Monsoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson. The U.S. Navy has already reached an agreement with HII, which will modify the USS Zumwalt to accommodate hypersonic missiles, as the new weapon requires larger launchers than the Mk 41 vertical launcher system.

If all goes according to plan, the destroyer will receive the hypersonic weapon in 2025. The U.S. Navy wants to equip some Virginia-class attack submarines with hypersonic missiles by the end of this decade.

The Feb. 17 contract also provides for additional projectiles for the U.S. Army. The service plans to put the LRHW hypersonic weapons into service by the end of this year. If all options are exercised, the deal could increase to $2.2 billion.

Source: Defence News