Modular warship hulls need credible interim systems

Could a ship use an old mounting arrangement now and later accept a completely new weapon system?

Yes. A conventional eight- or ten-inch gun could serve as an interim fit, with Zumwalt offered as the example.

Designing a hull to take an existing gun and later accept a replacement system is considered viable. Zumwalt is offered as a programme where this approach should have been used. The proposed interim fit is a conventional eight- or ten-inch gun. It would occupy the mounting until the new system was ready.