The United States Navy is transforming the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii into one of the main operational hubs for its hypersonic fleet.
By 2030, the location will host the three Zumwalt-class destroyers and up to three Virginia-class nuclear submarines, all equipped with hypersonic missiles. The modernization works include new piers, dry docks, and electrical systems to support advanced vessels, with completion expected by 2028.
The Zumwalt destroyers are being adapted to carry Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missiles, capable of hitting targets with extreme speed and precision. Each ship will also receive new intelligence, communication, and air defense systems. The Virginia-class submarines will feature the Payload Module (VPM), allowing them to carry up to 12 additional hypersonic missiles, significantly increasing the firepower of the U.S. fleet in the Pacific.
With this move, the U.S. aims to reduce military response times in the event of a conflict in the region, especially in a scenario of heightened tensions with China. The presence of destroyers and submarines equipped with hypersonic weapons in Hawaii reinforces Pearl Harbor’s strategic role as a central point for U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @USNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
