May 20, 2026:
The American Navy is procuring a new class of FF(X) frigates, that will reduce the workload of current Burke Class destroyers and can be used to watch coastal waters and defend trade routes. The Navy has already placed orders for the FF(X), with the X standing for experimental. The design is based on that of the Coast Guard National Security Cutter. These will cost $1,4 billion for the first one and somewhat less for succeeding ships. At least fifty and as many as sixty five of these ships will be built over the next few decades.
The FF(X) is built using modules that are manufactured in different parts of the country and then transported to a shipyard for final assembly and fitting out with weapons, electronics and associated equipment. With this equipment the ship can be used to detect and seize or destroy smuggling vessels. The ship also uses Hellfire missiles to destroy hostile drones, although there are cheaper microwave systems that do the job at much less cost. This system may be installed in the subsequent ships and as upgrades for the earlier ships as they go through their perioding upgrade and refit cycle.
Finally the FF(X) can act as a mother ship for naval surface and submerged drones. The frigate is armed with a 57mm gun and NSM/Naval Strike Missiles to deal with threats usually handled by the Larger Burke class destroyers. With a crew of only 148, half that of a destroyer, the frigates assist the nay in dealing with their perennial personal shortage.
FF(X) is replacing the abandoned Constellation-class frigates which were being built in America by Fincantieri, a successful Italian manufacturer of prefabricated ships. Constellations used the Franco-Italian FREMM design which made use of many prefabricated sections of the ships to speed construction and reduce costs. The American had been using this technique for over a century, including the construction of 150 destroyers during and after World War I, 2,700 Liberty Ships cargo ships and more recently nuclear submarines and frigates. Fincantieri has experience using prefab sections to build cruise ships. China and South Korea, two of the largest shipbuilders in the world, use prefab techniques for their commercial ships and naturally do the same for their war ships. As a result, they could build their warships much faster than the Americans. Having a much larger number of skilled workers and shipyards also plays a role as well.
Constellation-class ships displace 7,300 tons and were the sixth warship class to use the FREMM design techniques. The first FREMM type ship entered service in 2012 and 41 were built or on order before the order for twenty American Constellations was placed. The first Constellation was supposed to enter service this year.
The Constellations specialize in ASW/Anti-submarine warfare, while also equipped for anti-ship and anti-aircraft operations, and cost $800 million each. The FREMM ships built so far have all specialized in ASW, Air Defense or something in between. The exact mix of weapons was still to be determined but Constellations were supposed to be armed with a 57mm gun and 32 VLS cells containing a variety of anti-ship and anti-satellite aircraft and cruise missiles. There is a 16-cell JSM/Joint Strike Missile launcher for attacking other ships. There was a 21-cell RAM anti-missile/aircraft system and anti-submarine torpedoes. Constellation had a variable depth sonar system as well as a towed array sonar. There are defensive systems against torpedo attack and a fire control system that shows all weapons available and the status of each. Constellations had a modified Aegis radar that could also provide BMD/Ballistic Missile Defense using the Aegis BMD capabilities many destroyers already had. This means the mix of missiles in the VLS cells includes SM-6 anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, SM-3 anti-missile systems or the Tomahawk land attack cruise missile.
The MH-60 helicopter could carry dipping sonars and anti-submarine torpedoes. Crew size was 200 and top speed was over 50 kilometers an hour. Service life was 25 years.
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