The Zumwalt-class destroyers, known for their advanced technology and stealth capabilities, were intended to revolutionize the U.S. Navy's naval capabilities. However, a series of design flaws, budget constraints, and delays ultimately led to the premature end of the program, leaving questions about what truly caused the downfall of these state-of-the-art warships. One of the main factors that contributed to the failure of the Zumwalt destroyers was the massive cost overruns and delays during the development phase. The initial budget of $22.5 billion ballooned to over $7 billion, leading to only three ships being constructed instead of the planned twelve. Additionally, issues with the ship's advanced weaponry systems and integration of new technologies further hindered their operational capabilities. In the end, a combination of design flaws, budget constraints, and technical challenges ultimately led to the demise of the Zumwalt-class destroyers, raising concerns about the future of naval warfare and the ability of modern warships to fulfill their intended roles.