US Navy Will Install Hypersonic Missiles On Attack Submarines And All Of Its Destroyers

The US Navy will be equipping its attack submarines and all of its destroyers with hypersonic missiles in a bid to stave off the mounting threat of China in the Indo-Pacific region (a missile test is pictured aboard the Navy's new Zumwalt-class destroyer) 

Daily Mail: US Navy will install hypersonic missiles on attack submarines and all its destroyers in bid to counter mounting threat posed by China in the Pacific, Trump's top national security adviser reveals

* The service will first be installing the weapons on its Virginia-class attack submarines, then on its new Zumwalt-class destroyers 

 * Finally, the missiles will be mounted on all Arleigh Burke-class destroyers 

 * The move is seen as vital step the US’ challenge to keep China at arms length in the Indo-Pacific region, as tensions continue to mount over Taiwan 

 * Earlier this year, US defense sources warned that without serious reform and investment into its naval fleet, the US would lose a war with China in the region 

 * The US island territory Guam, home to three US military bases, was cited as a particularly susceptible target to attack  

* In addition to its new hypersonic missile drive, more long-range, ground-launched cruise missiles have been delivered to the Asia-Pacific region 

 * But Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said there’s still much more to be done and had pledged to increase the Navy's fleet by more than 500 ships by 2045 

The US Navy will be equipping its attack submarines and all of its destroyers with hypersonic missiles in a bid to stave off the mounting threat posed by China in the Pacific, Trump’s top national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, said Wednesday. 

The service will first be installing the weapons on its Virginia-class attack submarines, then on its new Zumwalt-class destroyers, before finally mounting the missiles on all three tiers of its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, according to Defense News. 

Speaking at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard earlier today, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said: ‘The Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike program will provide hypersonic missile capability to hold targets at risk from longer ranges.' 

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Update #1: All US Navy destroyers will get hypersonic missiles, says Trump’s national security adviser -- Defense News 

Update #2: O'Brien announces Navy ships and subs will be outfitted with Trump's favorite missile -- Politico 

WNU Editor: In World War One it was the battleships that dominated the seas. In World War Two it was the aircraft carriers. In future conflicts, it will be the Navy that has the most missiles that are also the most accurate that will dominate the seas.