After announcing that its new FF(X) frigates will be based on the design lineage of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutters, the U.S. Navy has now told specialized media outlets that these new ships will not be equipped with vertical launch systems (VLS), a suspicion that had already arisen following the release of the first artistic renderings of the proposed design. In light of this development, questions have emerged regarding their operational role and true combat capabilities, particularly considering the recent announcement of the new Trump-class ships that will equip the service.
Reviewing some of the known details of the future platform, it is worth highlighting that the U.S. Navy intends to pursue a flexible approach for its frigates based on modular payloads, which could translate, for example, into the installation of containerized missile launchers placed on the ship’s deck. In addition, as reported by The War Zone, each unit is expected to be able to serve as a mothership for unmanned naval systems performing various roles in the operations to which they are deployed.
Far from matching the now-canceled Constellation class, which was scrapped less than a week ago, the initial version of the FF(X) will be characterized by a main 57 mm gun, complemented by two additional 30 mm cannons and a Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher. In addition, as noted earlier, the ships will have space to incorporate containers housing different types of systems depending on the mission. Beyond these features, the vessels will also include a flight deck to accommodate naval helicopters or unmanned systems, while an advanced countermeasures suite will help ensure their survivability on the battlefield.
On the other hand, U.S. Navy officials indicated that current plans aim to accelerate construction timelines in order to field the first ships as soon as possible, while continuing to refine the design so that new upgrades can be integrated in the future. This approach, however, will take into account the lessons learned from the Constellation class regarding design changes that affect an already proven and fully functional baseline—avoiding major modifications that could lead to delays, cost overruns, and associated technical issues.
In this regard, a spokesperson for shipbuilder HII stated: “The FF(X) design changes are in the process of being finalized, and we are confident that our extensive experience and collaboration with the U.S. Navy will lead to a successful approval process. Targeted and specific changes will be implemented to meet unique mission requirements. The process will be similar to a basic DDG program upgrade, which has been successfully used to introduce new capabilities multiple times throughout the class’s history. Design work is ongoing, and we understand that the Navy’s intent is to minimize changes in order to streamline acquisitions.”
Regardless, the fact that the future ships will not be equipped with VLS continues to stand out as one of the most critical points for those questioning the adopted approach—especially given that this was a capability gap the Navy had sought to address with the current Independence and Freedom classes in service, and one that the Constellation class was intended to resolve. While the manufacturer’s originally proposed design did include VLS from the outset, the Navy opted initially for the modular approach described above, which leaves the door open to a future integration of VLS into the design, albeit with potential cost increases and technical challenges.
Another critical aspect also lies in the realm of air defense, considering that losing the ability to deploy missiles from vertical launchers reduces the range of options for neutralizing both manned and unmanned threats—a defining feature of today’s operational environments. To address this issue, at least in part, there is the possibility that deck-mounted containers could carry multi-role SM-6 missiles, while the integration of laser weapons for point-defense tasks has also been suggested. Nevertheless, analysts seem to agree that in no case would these measures fully replace the capabilities currently provided by VLS.
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