On November 25, 2025, 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.[5]
The FF(X) program was announced on December 19, 2025, in social media posts by Phelan and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle.[4] The program's objective is to have the first ship in the water by 2028.[6]
Specifications of the planned ships 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.[2] Modular construction across multiple shipyards is planned to expedite production of the class.[7]
US$242 million was allocated to the FF(X) program as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 defense appropriations legislation passed in February 2026.[8]
Design
The specifications of the FF(X) frigate differs from the preceding Constellation-class frigate.[9] The FF(X) will be a smaller and more agile warship that is capable of performing a range of missions and tasks.[10][11] Changes from the original NSC design include the construction of a platform above the stern boat deck for modular containerized payloads and unmanned systems.[6] 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.[12]
The initial flight of the class will be armed with a Mk 110 57 mm gun, a 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-184A NSM anti-ship missiles or 48 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for counter drone operations.[2] The initial flight will not feature an integrated VLS[13] or anti-submarine warfare equipment, though the latter may be added in the future.[4]
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.[12] However, there are notable differences between the respective conceptual renderings, including variations in the size of the main superstructure and the gun turret.[12] 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.[12]
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United States Navy (projected)