Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division finished builder’s sea trials for the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on January 21, 2026, after a comprehensive modernization availability that installed the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system and replaced the ship’s original twin 155‑mm Advanced Gun Systems with new missile tubes. The trials confirmed that the vessel meets the Navy’s performance and safety requirements for the next phase of testing and eventual operational deployment.
The milestone underscores HII’s ability to deliver complex, high‑technology warship upgrades on schedule, reinforcing the company’s broader margin‑recovery narrative. Successful completion of the trials signals that the modernization program is on track, reducing the risk of costly delays and supporting the firm’s execution discipline across its shipbuilding pipeline.
Strategically, the CPS integration transforms the Zumwalt‑class destroyers into platforms capable of launching hypersonic strike weapons, a capability that aligns with the U.S. Navy’s focus on countering advanced threats. By demonstrating the first operational deployment of CPS on a frontline warship, HII positions itself as a key partner in the Navy’s hypersonic modernization effort, potentially opening future contracts for similar upgrades on other vessels.
Other Zumwalt‑class destroyers—USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001)—are also scheduled for CPS integration, creating a pipeline of modernization work that will sustain HII’s shipbuilding business for years to come.
Brian Blanchette, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, said the company is proud of the team’s effort and the milestone achieved, noting that the successful trials “demonstrate the skill and dedication of our workforce and the strength of our partnership with the Navy.”
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