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23h ago

Navy Unveils Cutter-Based FF(X) Frigate, Names Ingalls Lead Yard for First Ship

The plan leverages a proven U.S. design to cut risk, targeting a first hull in the water in 2028.

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected by the U.S. Navy to design and build the future small surface combatant.
The US Navy's new frigate will be based on the US Coast Guard's Legend-class cutter.
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Overview

  • The new frigate class will be built off HII’s Legend-class National Security Cutter as part of the administration’s Golden Fleet initiative.
  • The Navy plans to award the lead ship to Ingalls on a sole-source basis, then move to a competitive follow-on production across multiple yards.
  • Design changes are limited, with accommodations for about 140 sailors and an above-deck platform to host containerized mission packages.
  • Leaders cite a build-to-print approach intended to reduce cost, schedule and technical risk while enabling a 2028 launch of the first hull.
  • The pivot follows last month’s Constellation-class truncation, with two FREMM-based ships still under construction at Marinette.