“new role of stealthy ship killer”... Uhhh you mean a submarine? I much rather take on a Chinese battle group in and old Los Angeles class than in that overpriced tin target.
“That’s not to say an attack Zumwalt wouldn’t have any escorts at all. As envisaged, the destroyer would lack any active antisubmarine-warfare systems. Like a carrier strike group, one or two nuclear attack submarines could accompany the Zumwalts into combat, screening for undersea threats. The submarines could also launch diversionary attacks against enemy task groups and scout the waters ahead for enemy surface forces.”
Which begs the question, if you already have subs out there why are you sending out a surface ship? What capability are you really gaining here?