FF(X)
FF is the designation for a class of frigates intended for the United States Navy based on the National Security Cutter or Legend-class cutter in service with the United States Coast Guard. The program was announced on December 19, 2025, and the ships will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Development
On November 25, 2025, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan announced the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program beyond the first two hulls, citing the need to build ships at a faster rate.The FF program was announced on December 19, 2025, in social media posts by Phelan and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle. The program's objective is to have the first ship in the water by 2028.
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. Modular construction across multiple shipyards is planned to expedite production of the class.
Design
The specifications of the FF frigate differs from the preceding Constellation-class frigate. The FF will be a smaller and more agile warship that is capable of performing a range of missions and tasks. Changes from the original NSC design include the construction of a platform above the stern boat deck for modular containerized payloads and unmanned systems. In the FF renderings, a "shelf" was added to the bottom front end of the superstructure, presumably a space for future upgrades such as vertical launching systems, laser-based directed energy weapons or some other close-in weapon systems.The initial flight of the class will be equipped 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. The initial flight will not feature an integrated VLS or anti-submarine warfare equipment, though the latter may be added in the future.
The FF 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. However, there are notable differences between the respective conceptual renderings, including variations in the size of the main superstructure and the gun turret. Notably, the Patrol Frigate design incorporated a 12-cell Mk 56 VLS unit, a capability not included on Flight I ships of the FF. The Patrol Frigate concept also included an expanded sensor suite.