US Combat Ship Decision Coming in 'Very Near Future'

[Master Mack]

Ik hoop zo dat ze dit project gaan versnellen. De zumwalts gingen ook zo goed.

[Huzaar1]

Wat is dat toch met Amerikanen en geen modern ogend schip willen produceren. Die domme kraaiennest mast ook.

[Harald]

https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-top-admiral-eyes-modular-construction-to-speed-new-frigate-construction

[Harald]

Slide from the Future Fleet Panel at SNA 2026 featuring a new official render of the future FF(X)

New U.S Navy Frigate: FF(X) Program Specs Revealed

During Surface Navy 2026's Future Fleet Panel hosted by Mr. Chris Miller, Executive Director at NAVSEA, and featuring Rear Admiral (RADM) Derek Trinque, the U.S Navy's Surface Warfare Director (N96), new details surrounding the U.S Navy's FF(X) program were unveiled.

As revealed in the presentation, the design is a radical departure from the design philosophy present in the Constellation-class of ships, a reminder that speed is now the primary factor driving the program. FF(X) hulls will be a derivative of the Legend-class Coast Guard cutters already in service, with both being produced by Huntington Ingalls.

The new Frigate's armament will consist of a 57mm main cannon, a 30mm auxilary cannon, a Mk-49 launcher with 21 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and a payload space at the stern of the ship capable of carrying 16 Naval Strike Missiles, 48 Hellfires, or other containerized weapons. Electronic warfare is handled by two SLQ-32 (V)6 suites, with 2 soft-kill Nulka decoy launchers present.

50-65 ships will be built with multiple flights, leaving room for some potential upgrades over the class's total production cycle. What type of upgrades may be fielded as the class progresses are unknown, but possibilities for the inclusion of armaments like VLS cells and upgraded sensors remain potential options.

"The vision here is we (the U.S Navy) will have capability in a box... The idea here is that we use those capabilities on both the frigate and other unmanned platforms to be able to give option-ality and it allows us to bring down risk."
– Chris Miller, Executive Director, Naval Sea Systems Command

Of particular note is the emphasis on modularity regarding payloads and potential strike options, with the aft deck designed to slot in a number of intended missions depending on the type of task designated to the frigate. This was also supplemented by the emphasis placed on potential manned-unmanned teaming opportunities with USVs.

A Changing Initiative


A display model of FF(X) presented during SECNAV John C. Phelan's keynote address at SNA 2026

During the talk, key Navy leaders such as Rear Admiral (RDML) Joseph Cahill, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Fleet, and Rear Admiral (RDML) Brian Metcalf, USN, Program Executive Officer joined RADM Trinque and Mr. Miller in shedding light on the Navy's methodology for requirements.

"In 1995, I did counter drug ops in my first ship the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58). Using a guided missile cruiser, or nowadays a guided missile destroyer for counter narcotics ops is a choice I don't want the fleet commander to have to go through."
– RADM Derek Trinque, USN Surface Warfare Director (N96), speaking on the logic behind FF(X) requirements

FF(X) is intended to be the low in a low-medium-high mix, joining with DDG-51 FLT III and BBG(X) to round out fleet capabilities. FF(X) is wholly intended to target low-end threat profiles and missions such as narcotics interdiction to allow for larger surface combatants to be used elsewhere. It was very much stressed by the panel to view the FF(X) program and it's capabilities in this context, a strategy likely meant to combat views of the frigate being too close in design to it's Coast Guard Cutter cousin causing errant capability and survivability concerns.

This low-end threat profile, combined with a doubling-down on speed (first hull in the water by 2028) is the probable reason for the selection of a Coast Guard Cutter derivative. This is a stark departure from the FFG-62 program, which produced a VLS armed, larger (7,000+ ton), Aegis/AN-SPY(V)3 equipped, and more multi-role vessel with a trade-off of greater cost. This was in addition to a long string of production lags in the class, continually increasing costs with changing program requirements.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) was also strongly noted by the Admirals, with a promise to maintain ASW capabilities in the fleet even in the face of the cancellation of the Constellations. Despite this, it is still unknown what ASW functions the frigate can maintain, a question raised by the apparent absence of either a hull mounted or towed array sonar.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/new-u-s-navy-frigate-ffx-program-specs-revealed/

[Huzaar1]

Ik hoop zo dat ze dit project gaan versnellen. De zumwalts gingen ook zo goed.

[Benji87]

Dit schip gaat de Amerikaanse marine 50% van haar budget kosten en 2 schepen opleveren die niet zeewaardig zijn. maar hé, hij is in ieder geval vernoemd naar de grote leider.

[Parera]

De Trump klasse zou o.b.v. de renders uitgerust worden met:
- 3 blokken van 64 Mk41 VLS cellen (192 cellen)
- 1 blok met 12x Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonische raketten VLS.
- 2 Mk49 GMLS (RAM CIWS)
- 2 High Energy Laser CIWS's
- 4 EWIP Block III modules (electronische oorlogvoering)
- 1 railgun
- 2 Mk45 5'' (127 mm) kanons
- 4 Mk38 25 mm kanons
- Vergrote Spy-6 radars
- Vliegdek met hangaar voor een onbekend aantal helikopters / UAV's

Verder moeten de schepen natuurlijk nuclear aangedreven worden maar zouden ze volgens Trump ook uitgerust moeten worden met een nieuwe nucleaire kruisraket. Met een tonnage van 30.000 a 40.000 ton zijn ze lichter dan de Iowa klasse (57,540 ton). De president heeft aangegeven dat het initieel een klasse van 10 schepen moet worden waarvan er nu 2 goedgekeurd zijn. De klasse zou in de toekomst kunnen uitgroeien tot 20 a 25 schepen volgens Trump.

Heeft iemand een paar ton zout want een korreltje zal niet genoeg zijn

[Parera]

Trump Announces Nuclear-Armed Battleships for the U.S. Navy



The U.S. Navy will take delivery of new-build battleships, the largest in modern existence, in an announcement from President Trump in Florida.

U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, were all in attendance for the President's announcement declaring a new class of battleships under the 'Golden Fleet' initiative, an effort designed to restore American shipbuilding. All four gave remarks during the announcement emphasizing the need for the new battleship class.

The ships, named after President Donald Trump as the Trump-class, will be 30-40,000 ton warships surpassing the largest surface combatants in service today, including the largest existing Russian Navy Kirov-class nuclear-powered battlecruiser. A rendering of the lead ship, the USS Defiant, features large SPY-6 radar arrays, lasers firing at targets out of view, and at least 100 VLS cells, all equipped on a historically large hull.

Trump-class Battleships / USS Defiant Design
Renderings show USS Defiant built with an integrated superstructure and several remote weapon systems, as well as an unidentified gun system similar in appearance to the Zumwalt-class 155mm Advanced Gun System (AGS). The gun appears to be a railgun, which President Trump confirmed would be equipped on the ships.

At least four Block III SEWIP electronic attack systems, all integrated into the superstructure, are visible, providing electronic attack and deception against incoming missiles. In higher resolution renderings provided to Naval News by the U.S. Navy, two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile launchers are visible amidships on the port and starboard side, with a VLS bank in the center barely visible.

The three vertical launch cell banks will be capable of firing a mix of standard Mark 41 VLS missiles, including Tomahawks and Standard Missiles shown in renderings, with a single larger bank farthest towards the bow capable of firing Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missiles currently being fitted to the Zumwalt-class ships at Huntington Ingalls Industries Pascagoula.

The renderings show two Mark 45 5-inch cannons towards the bow on the starboard and port side, with a large number of VLS cells behind the guns. Forward are larger VLS cells, similar to what is seen on the Zumwalt-class to fire CPS missiles. The cells could also be similar to Lockheed Martin's Growth VLS (G-VLS), a larger size VLS cell for future growth and multi-pack potential for existing missiles.

Ahead of the larger diameter hypersonic VLS bank, which is shown launching a hypersonic missile, is an unidentified gun closely resembling a railgun. General Atomics recently pitched railguns for air and missile defense, highlighting design advancements that solve the previous barrel wear concerns. President Trump confirmed the ship will be armed with railguns during his statement.

President Trump also confirmed the ships will be armed with the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile – Nuclear (SLCM-N) nuclear-tipped cruise missile being developed for the fleet, adding a new element of the nuclear triad to the surface force.

President Trump and Secretary of the Navy Phelan declared the class as future flagships of the U.S. Navy serving as fleet command platforms for admirals.



The White House also emphasized the importance of these ships for the revival of American shipbuilding. Two ships have been approved for construction, with ten planned in the long term. Up to 25 could be built according to President Trump, at a fast pace with support from industry investments.

The President also announced intentions for Hanwha to partner with domestic industry partners to build the newly announced FF(X) frigates for the U.S. Navy, as well as investments into sailor housing, delay mitigations, and production rates. FF(X) replaced Fincantieri Marinette Marine's Constellation-class guided missile frigate.



Secretary of the Navy John Phelan discussed developments with Admiral Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral Sam Paparo, INDOPACOM commander.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/12/trump-announces-nuclear-armed-battleships-for-the-u-s-navy/

[Parera]

Navy's New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles



he U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that the armament package for its first "flight" of its new FF(X) frigates will not include a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS). There had been widespread questions about whether the ships would include a VLS array after renderings were released with no such feature readily apparent.



A lack of any type of VLS on the FF(X) design is a glaring omission that can only raise questions about the operational utility and flexibility of the ships. At the same time, the new frigates will be able to carry modular payloads, including containerized missile launchers, on their sterns. The Navy also has an explicit plan to employ the FF(X)s as "motherships" for uncrewed surface vessels (USV), likely offering a distributed arsenal, as well as additional sensors, for the frigates to leverage during operations.



The Navy announced its plan to acquire a fleet of new FF(X) frigates last Friday, which followed the cancellation of the abortive Constellation class program earlier in the month. The service previously confirmed that the FF(X)s will be based on the Legend class National Security Cutter (NSC), which Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) first developed for the U.S. Coast Guard.

"The initial flight of FF(X) will have a 57mm gun, 2 x 30mm guns, a Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile [launcher], various countermeasures, and a flight deck from which to launch helicopters and unmanned systems. Aft of the flight deck, there will be a flexible weapons system, which can accommodate containerized payloads (Counter-UAS, other missiles)," a Navy spokesperson told TWZ today. "Much like the successful DDG-51 [Arleigh Burke class destroyer] program, we are building this in flights. The frigate will be upgraded over successive flights to evolve and has the space reservations needed to improve capability over time."

https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-new-frigate-will-not-have-vertical-launch-systems-for-missiles

[Parera]

Er staat een 57mm kanon op het  Sea Control Frigate.

Dat klopt, maar de latere ontwerp varianten in de video zijn uitgerust met een 76 mm kanon.

[Ace1]

Inderdaad en kijkend naar de FFGX die nu gecanceld is zou de Patrol Frigate F4923 (laatste optie uit de video) het meeste voldoen aan de wensen van de USN. Het kanon zal alleen een 57 mm kanon (moeten) worden i.p.v. het 76 mm kanon van de export varianten, ook de harpoons zullen NSM's zijn. Het 16 cells VLS is wat weinig voor de USN, maar afhankelijk van de type missies van de fregatten en de aantallen die gebouwd gaan worden moet het kunnen.

Er staat een 57mm kanon op het  Sea Control Frigate.

[Parera]

Je gaat dit krijgen.

Inderdaad en kijkend naar de FFGX die nu gecanceld is zou de Patrol Frigate F4923 (laatste optie uit de video) het meeste voldoen aan de wensen van de USN. Het kanon zal alleen een 57 mm kanon (moeten) worden i.p.v. het 76 mm kanon van de export varianten, ook de harpoons zullen NSM's zijn. Het 16 cells VLS is wat weinig voor de USN, maar afhankelijk van de type missies van de fregatten en de aantallen die gebouwd gaan worden moet het kunnen.

[Ace1]

Je gaat dit krijgen.

[Parera]

@Parera, misschien krijg je nog wel gelijk   

Ja, dit is iets wat de USN/USCG vanaf dag 1 samen hadden moeten ontwikkelen. Waarbij de kustwacht cutter slechts uitgerust werd met het 57 mm kanon, phalanx, autocannons en decoys. Zou de marine variant het volledige pakket aan middelen krijgen met daarbij extra : 16 cells VLS, NSM's en torpedobuizen. Hierdoor zouden alle schepen van de USCG in geval van een oorlog/conflict kunnen worden voorzien van de extra middelen zodat het escort fregatten bestand van de USN in 1 klap verdubbeld kan worden.

[Harald]

Ze hadden nooit moeten beginnen met een Europees ontwerp maar met 1 van de 2 Amerikaanse kandidaten. Naar mijn idee waren het voorstel van Austal (LCS basis) en Huntington Ingalls Industries (Ledgend class cutter basis) de twee beste Amerikaanse voorstellen. Bij deze laatste kon men samenwerking zoeken met de USCG om bijna tot 1 platform te komen voor oorlogstijd.

@Parera, misschien krijg je nog wel gelijk   

Navy wants new frigate in 2028, says service's acquisition head

Navy Secretary John Phelan recently told attendees at a private dinner that the new frigate would be a modified National Security Cutter, sources told Breaking Defense.

The Navy hopes to have new frigates based on an American design "in the water" in 2028, a senior service official said today, an aggressive new schedule following the service's cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate.

"We believe the future frigate can be in the water in 2028," Jason Potter, the Navy's acting acquisition executive, told attendees today at the Defense Forum here in Washington. He said the service was focused on using a design approach that separates finalizing the ship's design from the construction of the lead ship, a path the Navy is taking with its new Medium Landing Ship.

The Navy announced late last month it would terminate Fincantieri Marinette Marine's contract for four of six frigates the company was slated to build. In their place, the Navy said it would pursue a new class of vessels and provide Fincantieri with piecemeal work from other programs to keep the shipyard afloat, but details about what that looked like were not immediately clear.

Then at last weekend's Reagan National Defense Forum, Navy Secretary John Phelan said the new frigate would be based on an American design and stressed that any change orders would have to go through him. (The Navy has taken severe criticism by lawmakers and outside observers for making an excessive number of design changes to the Constellation-class frigate, which experts argue led to its schedule problems and cost overruns.)

Phelan also recently told attendees at a private dinner that the new frigate would be a modified National Security Cutter, two sources who heard the comments told Breaking Defense. Asked about Phelan's private comments, a Navy spokesperson deferred to the secretary's social media posts about the new frigate and declined to comment further.

HII has been building a National Security Cutter (NSC) for the US Coast Guard. During the original frigate competition, the company proposed a modified version of that ship for what would become the Constellation class. A spokesperson for HII told Breaking Defense the company is "aware of the developments on the frigate and cannot specifically comment about the NSC."

"However, like our CEO Chris Kastner has stated, we're going to build what the Navy wants us to build. Regarding the original frigate competition, we did bid a variation of the NSC that was lethal, low risk, and affordable. We look forward to partnering with the Navy on designs for the ships they need," the spokesperson added.

Potter declined to elaborate on the acquisition strategy for selecting a new frigate design and shipbuilders but said the Navy and Coast Guard are "very close" on shipbuilding.

"We're in continuous communication about one thing or another with the Coast Guard and I'd say it's probably too early make any declarative statements," he said.

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/navy-wants-new-frigate-in-2028-says-services-acquisition-head/

Legend-class cutter, National Security Cutter (NSC)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend-class_cutter