The U.S. Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missile promises rapid response capabilities, making it essential to expand its deployment strategy for successful deterrence against adversaries.
Deploying the CPS missile effectively requires a strategy that goes beyond the Zumwalt destroyers and Virginia-class submarines. With the ability to strike targets 2,200 nautical miles away in just 30 minutes, the CPS missile offers a significant advancement over traditional munitions but faces growing competition from China's expanding arsenal. To bolster its deterrent posture, the Navy could turn retiring Ohio-class submarines and Nimitz-class carriers into dedicated hypersonic missile platforms.
The Navy's Hypersonic Strategy: What’s at Stake?
In today’s military landscape, speed and range are critical. The CPS missile allows the Navy to achieve quick strikes that traditional platforms cannot match. Unfortunately, if the Navy continues its current plans without expanding the platforms for CPS missile deployment, it risks falling short when facing threats such as China’s growing military capabilities.
To effectively counter China's hypersonic systems, the Navy must consider repurposing existing vessels to increase the number of hypersonic missiles it can launch. Currently, the potential exists to deploy up to 4,182 hypersonic missiles by converting retiring warships, presenting a substantial improvement in naval readiness and deterrence.
Repurposing as a Strategic Advantage
Converting retiring Ohio-class submarines and Nimitz-class carriers into hypersonic missile platforms is a cost-effective strategy that not only enhances strike capabilities but also complements the Navy's deterrence strategy.
- Ohio-class submarines: These vessels have a proven track record and can be modified to carry 66 hypersonic missiles each, allowing for a significant uptick in firepower. If all 14 were repurposed, that would translate into 924 additional hypersonic missiles.
- Nimitz-class carriers: A thorough refurbishment could enable each carrier to deploy 300 hypersonic missiles. This represents a versatile platform with extensive reach and capability to defend against maritime threats.
Through this reconfiguration, the U.S. Navy would create a more substantial deterrent force, directly countering China’s maritime ambitions and bolstering its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Limitations of Current Platforms
Relying solely on the planned deployment strategies for CPS missiles may not meet the increasing demands of modern naval warfare. Current platforms face limitations, particularly when compared to the capabilities offered by hypersonic missiles
- The Tomahawk cruise missile ranges only up to 900 nautical miles, which falls short against the 2,200 nautical miles of the CPS missile.
- Aircraft such as the F/A-18 and F-35C have maximum ranges of 444 and 600 nautical miles, respectively. Their operational range, joint with the lengthy launch processes, gives a significant advantage to hypersonic systems.
The limitations of these traditional munitions make the case for enhancing hypersonic capabilities through repurposed warships more appealing. To maintain dominance, a strategic overhaul that incorporates these advanced technologies will be crucial.
A Hypersonic Arms Race: A Wake-Up Call
The growing commitments from China and Russia to develop hypersonic technologies signify an impending arms race. China, in particular, boasts systems such as the DF-21 carrier killer with a 1,100 nautical miles range and several hypersonic variants like the DF-17 and DF-41, putting pressure on America’s naval superiority.
If the U.S. lagged in hypersonic advancements, it risks not just operational efficacy but the very principle of deterrence. Repurposing Ohio-class submarines and Nimitz-class carriers into hypersonic missile platforms can enhance the U.S. Navy's capacity to respond quickly and effectively to threats, maintaining strategic balance in the Pacific.
Economic Feasibility of Repurposing
Converting traditional platforms into hypersonic missile carriers offers significant economic advantages. The transition costs are manageable when juxtaposed against the construction of new vessels
- The estimated cost of modifying each Ohio-class submarine is around $5 billion, totaling $70 billion for the entire class.
- For a Nimitz-class carrier, repurposing would require an investment of about $7 billion per ship, amounting to roughly $70 billion for a class-wide implementation.
By spreading the investment over a designated timeline, the U.S. Navy can achieve a more formidable ship count and strike capacity without exorbitant costs.
The Impact on National Security
The repurposed capabilities would enable the Navy to enhance significant deterrent power. If the Navy integrates these repurposed ships with its existing CPS missile deployment on Zumwalt destroyers and Virginia-class submarines, the projected total might reach 4,182 hypersonic missiles by 2035.
- This comprehensive hypersonic system presents a credible deterrent against Chinese naval expansion.
- Deterring aggressive postures in the Indo-Pacific is crucial. A robust presence with numerous missile platforms will reassure allies and confront potential adversaries with decisive capabilities.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for the U.S. Navy
To ensure naval superiority and effective deterrence in an increasingly aggressive global landscape, the U.S. Navy must repurpose its Ohio-class and Nimitz-class vessels into hypersonic missile trucks. This transformation not only enhances operational readiness but positions the U.S. favorably against adversaries looking to expand their foothold. A proactive approach in repurposing existing assets provides a sustainable and effective solution to counter threats and secure maritime interests.
In conclusion, the need for a forward-thinking hypersonic strategy will empower the Navy to meet the challenges of modern warfare head-on and shape a future where the U.S. remains an unassailable presence in global waters.