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.

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

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.

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.