Tested in the late 1940s, it was overtaken by advances in guided missile technology.

Development of the Gun Launched Guided Projectile - Arrow Shell was initiated by the U.S. Navy's Naval ordnance Laboratory (NOL) in June 1947,[2] with the intent of developing a guided subcaliber projectile capable of being fired from the Mark 16 8"/55 caliber (203mm) guns mounted in the Des Moines-class heavy cruisers.

[1] Zeus consisted of a 4-inch (100 mm) shell, weighing 72 pounds (33 kg),[2] launched using a sabot in the 8-inch gun;[3] the shell was fitted with stabilizing fins and a small course-correction rocket; the guidance system involved a radio command being sent to trigger the deflection charge.

[2] Test firings of the XSAM-N-8 begun in 1948; by early 1950, when the project was transferred from the Navy's missile development office to a purely gun-development project and the XSAM-N-8 designation cancelled,[2] 115 test shells had been fired.

An improved Zeus II variant, with full guidance and a sustainer rocket motor, was projected,[2] and there were proposals to complete the unfinished battleship USS Kentucky as an anti-aircraft ship with quadruple turrets of 8" (203mm) guns firing Zeus.