Lockheed Martin has received $1.2 billion to supply and integrate hypersonic missiles into the latest Zumwalt destroyers

On February 17, the Navy entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the supply of hypersonic missiles.

They will be integrated into the latest Zumwalt-class destroyers.

What is known

Lockheed Martin is developingConventional 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 use different launchers.

</ img>

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

The Zumwalt class consists of three destroyers:USS Zumwalt, USS Michael Monsoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson. The US Navy has already entered into an agreement with HII, which is modifying the USS Zumwalt to carry hypersonic missiles, as the new weapon requires larger launchers than the Mk 41 vertical launch system.

If everything goes according to plan, the destroyer will receivehypersonic weapons in 2025. By the end of the current decade, the US Navy wants to equip some Virginia-class attack submarines with hypersonic missiles.

</ img>

The contract dated 17 February also provides forsupply of additional shells for the US Army. The service plans to commission the LRHW hypersonic weapons before the end of this year. If all options are fulfilled, the size of the deal could increase to $2.2 billion.