The U.S. Navy is set to develop a new class of combatant ships designed to enhance operational agility and versatility. The FF(X) class will serve as a crucial addition to the Navy’s future fleet, according to Navy Secretary John Phelan. The first ship is anticipated to be launched in 2028, incorporating design elements from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter.
In a video announcement dated December 19, 2023, Phelan emphasized the importance of this initiative. “To deliver at speed and scale, I’ve directed the acquisition of a new frigate class based on [the design by Huntington Ingalls Industries],” he stated. This new frigate is expected to be a proven vessel that will bolster U.S. interests both domestically and internationally.
Enhanced Capabilities and Flexibility
The Navy is promoting the FF(X) as a “highly adaptable vessel.” This ship will be capable of executing a variety of missions, including surface warfare, modular payload transport, and operations involving unmanned systems. Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, highlighted recent deployments in the Red Sea and Caribbean as evidence of the urgent need for a more versatile frigate class. “Our small surface combatant inventory is a third of what we need,” Caudle remarked. “We need more capable blue-water small combatants to close the gap and keep our guided missile destroyers focused on the high-end fight.”
This new class of ships aims to address existing shortages in the Navy’s small surface combatant fleet. Navy officials believe that utilizing the established Legend-class design will also mitigate costs and scheduling risks, which have previously hindered shipbuilding efforts.
Addressing Shipbuilding Challenges
A report by the Government Accountability Office released in March 2025 pointed to significant challenges faced by U.S. shipyards over the past two decades. This report noted consistent issues with production delays, with vessels sometimes arriving up to three years late and exhibiting faulty functionality. Shelby S. Oakley, a director at the GAO, informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that unrealistic expectations regarding costs and timelines have contributed to these delays, describing the U.S. shipbuilding industry as being in a “perpetual state of triage.”
Despite these challenges, Phelan and Caudle are optimistic about the FF(X) class. “We know this frigate design works,” Caudle noted. “We know it operates with the fleet. And most importantly, we know how to build it — now.”
Phelan outlined a strategy for the acquisition of the new class, emphasizing a lead shipyard complemented by a competitive follow-on approach for construction across multiple yards. “Shipyards will be measured against one outcome: delivering combat power to the fleet as fast as possible,” he stated.
The Navy’s strategy mirrors successful approaches used in the production of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, focusing on creating a design that can be upgraded as new threats and technologies emerge. This proactive approach aims to ensure that the U.S. Navy remains capable and ready to respond to future challenges effectively.
