FF(X) is the designation for a class of frigates intended for the United States Navy based on the National Security Cutter (NSC) or Legend-class cutter in service with the United States Coast Guard.[1][5][3] The program was announced on December 19, 2025, and the ships will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries.[6]
 Rendering of the FF(X) frigate, based on the Legend-class cutter | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Huntington Ingalls Industries[1] |
| Operators |  United States Navy (projected) |
| Preceded by | Constellation class[2] |
| Planned | 50-65[3] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Frigate |
| Displacement | 4,750 tonnes (4,670 long tons; 5,240 short tons)[3] |
| Length | 421 feet (128 m)[3] |
| Beam | 54 feet (16 m)[3] |
| Draft | 22 feet (6.7 m)[3] |
| Speed | 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)[3] |
| Range | 12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km; 14,000 mi)[3] |
| Complement | 148[3] |
| Sensors & processing systems | AN/SPS-77 3D air and surface search radar[3] |
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
Development
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On November 25, 2025, then-Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan announced the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program beyond the first two ships, citing the need to build ships at a faster rate.[7]
The FF(X) program was announced on December 19, 2025, in social media posts by Phelan and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle.[6] The program's objective is to have the first ship launched by 2028.[8] To achieve this objective, the US Navy is planning for Ingalls to utilize components from the canceled 11th Legend-class cutter, Friedman.[9]
Specifications of the FF(X) were announced on January 16, 2026, at Surface Navy 2026's Future Fleet Panel. 50-65 ships spanning multiple flights are planned to be constructed.[3] Modular construction across multiple shipyards is planned to expedite production of the FF(X).[10]
US$242 million was allocated to long lead items for the FF(X) program as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 defense appropriations legislation passed in February 2026.[11] According to the Navy's FY2027 budget request, the first FF(X) is projected to cost US$1.671 billion including long lead items and will be delivered by June 2030.[4]
Design
editThe specifications of the FF(X) differ from the preceding Constellation-class frigate.[12] The FF(X) will be a smaller and more agile warship that is capable of performing a range of missions and tasks.[13][14] Changes from the original NSC design include the construction of a platform above the stern boat deck for modular containerized payloads and unmanned systems.[8] In the FF(X) renderings, a "shelf" was added to the bottom front end of the superstructure, presumably a space for future upgrades such as vertical launching systems (VLS), laser-based directed energy weapons, or some other close-in weapon systems.[15]
The FF(X) is similar to HI Industries' 2012 "Patrol Frigate" proposal, also based on the Legend-class hull, previously offered to the U.S. Navy as a replacement for the Littoral Combat Ship.[15] However, there are notable differences between the respective conceptual renderings, including variations in the size of the main superstructure and the gun turret.[15] Notably, the Patrol Frigate design incorporated a 12-cell Mk 56 VLS unit, a capability not included on Flight I ships of the FF(X). The Patrol Frigate concept also included an expanded sensor suite.[15]
Flight I
editThe Flight I FF(X) differs only slightly from the NSC design to expedite production.[9] It will be armed with a Mk 110 57 mm gun, a Mk 38 Mod 4 30 mm gun, a Mk 49 launcher for 21 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles for point defense, and a flexible station at the stern of the ship for a variety of modular payloads, including up to 16 RGM-184 Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missiles or 48 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for counter drone operations.[3] The initial flight will not feature an integrated VLS[16] or anti-submarine warfare equipment, though these may be added in the future.[6][9]
Flight II
editAs of May 2026, development of the improved Flight II FF(X) has begun. A VLS and ASW equipment are being considered for the design.[9]
See also
editEquivalent frigates
- Baden-Württemberg-class frigate (Germany)
- La Fayette-class frigate (France)
- Type 053H3 frigate (China)
References
edit- ↑ "Report to Congress on the Navy's Constellation, FF(X) Frigate Programs". U.S. Naval Institute. January 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Gossrow, Ethan (January 16, 2026). "New U.S Navy Frigate: FF(X) Program Specs Revealed". Naval News. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- 1 2 "Justification Book - SCN Book" (PDF). Department of War. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ Joseph Trevithick (January 16, 2026). "Navy's New Frigate Program Makes Big Bet On Containers Loaded With Missiles". The War Zone.
- 1 2 3 LaGrone, Sam (December 19, 2025). "SECNAV: New Frigate will be Based on National Security Cutter, First FF(X) to be Built at Ingalls". USNI News. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ LaGrone, Sam (November 15, 2025). "Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program". USNI News. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- 1 2 "Navy Announces New Small Surface Combatant". U.S. Navy. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Gossrow, Ethan (May 2, 2026). "U.S. Navy wants first FF(X) frigate in the water by 2028". Naval News. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
- ↑ Altman, Howard; Hodge Seck, Hope (January 15, 2026). "Navy's Top Admiral Eyes Modular Construction To Speed New Frigate Construction". The War Zone. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ↑ Shelborne, Mary (February 6, 2026). "Funding Bill Moves Constellation Frigate Money for New FF(X) Program". USNI News. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ↑ Richard Thomas (January 2, 2026). "US Navy FF(X) vs Constellation frigate – a comparison". Naval Technology.
- ↑ J.D. Simkins (December 19, 2025). "US Navy to develop new class of smaller, more 'agile' combatant ships". Defense News.
- ↑ Fatima Bahtić (December 22, 2025). "US Navy turns to HII to construct future small surface combatants". Naval Today.
- 1 2 3 4 Trevithick, Joseph (December 19, 2025). "This Will Be The Navy's New FF(X) Frigate". The War Zone. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
- ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (December 22, 2025). "Navy's New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles". The War Zone. Retrieved December 22, 2025.