The U.S. Navy is progressing with major upgrades to USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), positioning the destroyer to become the first American surface ship prepared to deploy hypersonic weapon systems. The vessel is undergoing extensive modernization that includes the installation of Advanced Payload Modules designed to support the Conventional Prompt Strike capability. As part of the refit, the ship’s original gun systems were removed to accommodate new launch infrastructure, signaling a strategic shift to