The United States Navy is moving forward with a new frigate class, leveraging the design of HII’s Legend-class national security cutter. Navy Secretary John Phelan made the announcement today, outlining plans to replace the previously canceled Constellation-class frigate program. This decision aligns with the Navy’s broader strategy to enhance its fleet capabilities, aiming to have the new vessels operational by 2028.
During a recent private event, Phelan indicated that the Navy was exploring HII’s ship design as a viable option for its new frigate. The announcement comes on the heels of a statement from Jason Potter, the Navy’s acting acquisition executive, who confirmed the goal of having the new ships launched in the next five years. “I have directed the acquisition of a new frigate class based on HII’s Legend-class national security cutter design, a proven American-built ship that has been protecting our interests at home and abroad,” Phelan stated in a video shared on social media.
Enhancing Naval Capabilities
The new frigate will play a crucial role in the administration’s “Golden Fleet” concept, which aims to shift the balance of the Navy’s fleet composition. This strategy focuses on increasing the number of small surface combatants and unmanned vessels while maintaining a presence of heavily armored ships. Phelan emphasized the need for more capable blue-water small combatants, noting, “Recent operations from the Red Sea to the Caribbean make the frigate requirement undeniable.”
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caude echoed this sentiment, stating that the current inventory of small surface combatants falls significantly short of operational needs. “Our small surface combatant inventory is a third of what we need,” he said. The intent is to ensure that destroyers can focus on high-end combat scenarios while the new frigates handle a range of other missions.
The Navy plans to designate HII as the lead shipyard for the frigate program, but will also conduct a competition to identify additional yards for construction. This approach aims to streamline costs and reduce risks associated with shipbuilding.
HII’s Commitment to Shipbuilding
In a statement following the announcement, HII expressed its commitment to the project. The ships will be constructed at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding facility in Mississippi. HII President and CEO Chris Kastner stated, “Speed matters, and the NSC ship design is stable and producible and will lead to predictable schedules.” He voiced confidence in the Ingalls team’s ability to execute the program effectively and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base to meet the Navy’s growing demands.
The partnership with HII marks a significant step in the Navy’s endeavor to modernize its fleet in response to evolving global threats. By utilizing an established design with proven capabilities, the Navy aims to enhance its operational effectiveness while ensuring timely delivery of new vessels. The commitment to building a new class of frigates underscores the Navy’s strategic priorities to maintain a robust and agile maritime presence.
