Fire Incident Reported Aboard US Navy Destroyer Under Modernization

(MENAFN) A fire broke out aboard the USS Zumwalt while the warship was docked at a shipyard in Mississippi undergoing modernization work, leaving three sailors injured, according to reports citing US Navy sources.

One sailor was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, while two others received treatment at the scene. The incident occurred on April 19, and the US Navy has launched an investigation into the cause and potential damage to the vessel.

The *Zumwalt*, one of the US Navy’s most advanced and costly destroyer classes, was not on active deployment at the time and was undergoing upgrades aimed at expanding its combat capabilities.

Originally designed with advanced naval gun systems, the ship’s configuration was later altered after technical and cost-related challenges, with plans shifting toward missile-based strike capabilities, including integration of long-range hypersonic weapons under development.

The vessel is part of a highly expensive program that resulted in the construction of only three ships, drawing criticism over its cost and shifting mission profile.

According to earlier government assessments, the program’s total cost reached tens of billions of dollars, with critics pointing to limited operational deployment and ongoing redesigns as key concerns.

The Navy continues to evaluate the extent of the fire damage and its impact on the ship’s modernization timeline.

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