Captain Sarah Mitchell watched from the bridge as her destroyer’s vertical launch system cells opened in perfect sequence, sending missiles arcing toward their targets. For thirty years, these sleek silos had been the backbone of American naval firepower. Now, as she reviews blueprints for the Navy’s newest frigate, those familiar VLS cells are nowhere to be found.
It’s a decision that’s sending ripples through naval circles and raising questions about America’s maritime strategy. The FF(X) frigate program represents a dramatic shift in how the Navy thinks about surface warfare.
Why the Navy Chose Speed Over Firepower
The US Navy’s new FF(X) frigate program is making waves for what it doesn’t include rather than what it does. After the expensive failure of the Constellation-class program, naval planners decided to take a radically different approach.
Instead of designing another complex warship from scratch, they’re adapting the Coast Guard’s proven Legend-class National Security Cutter. This means getting ships to sea faster, but it also means sacrificing the navy frigate vertical launch system that has become standard on modern American warships.
“We’re prioritizing getting hulls in the water over maximum firepower,” explains defense analyst Michael Torres. “The Navy learned some hard lessons from the Constellation program’s collapse and decided pragmatism beats perfection.”
The decision reflects urgent fleet needs. With aging ships retiring faster than new ones arrive, the Navy faces a shrinking surface fleet at a time when global tensions are rising. The FF(X) program aims to deliver the first new frigate by 2028, an aggressive timeline that requires minimal design changes to the Coast Guard hull.
What These Frigates Will Actually Carry
Without a vertical launch system, the FF(X) frigates will rely on a more traditional weapons package that prioritizes versatility over raw missile capacity. Here’s what naval planners are including:
- 57mm main gun for surface engagements and shore bombardment
- Close-in weapons systems for missile defense
- Anti-submarine warfare torpedoes and sensors
- Advanced radar and electronic warfare systems
- Space for future weapons upgrades
The ships will also maintain the Coast Guard cutter’s impressive endurance and seakeeping abilities, making them ideal for long-range patrols and presence operations.
| Feature | FF(X) Frigate | Traditional VLS Frigate |
|---|---|---|
| Missile Cells | 0 (initial flight) | 32-48 cells |
| Development Time | 4-5 years | 8-12 years |
| Cost per Ship | $800M-$1B | $1.5B-$2B |
| First Delivery | 2028 | 2032-2035 |
“The Navy is betting that having ships in the water sooner is more valuable than having perfect ships later,” notes former naval officer Jennifer Walsh. “It’s a calculated risk that prioritizes numbers over individual ship capability.”
How This Changes Naval Operations
The absence of a navy frigate vertical launch system will fundamentally change how these ships operate in combat scenarios. Traditional frigates with VLS can engage multiple air and surface targets simultaneously while maintaining anti-submarine capabilities.
FF(X) frigates will instead focus on:
- Anti-submarine warfare in contested waters
- Escort duties for larger ships and convoys
- Maritime security and patrol operations
- Intelligence gathering and surveillance missions
This shift reflects broader changes in naval strategy. Rather than every ship being a multi-role missile platform, the Navy is moving toward specialized vessels that excel in specific mission areas.
“These frigates won’t be able to conduct land attack missions or defend against large-scale air raids,” explains naval strategist Robert Chen. “But they’ll be excellent at hunting submarines and providing maritime security, which are increasingly critical missions.”
The decision also opens the door for future upgrades. Later versions of the FF(X) might incorporate modular VLS systems or new weapons technologies that don’t exist today.
Fleet commanders are already adapting their thinking to work with these capabilities. Instead of deploying frigates as independent missile shooters, they’ll likely operate in coordination with destroyers and cruisers that provide the heavy firepower.
For sailors and their families, this means different deployment patterns and mission profiles. FF(X) crews will spend more time on extended patrols and less time in high-intensity combat scenarios, at least initially.
The program also represents a broader philosophical shift in military procurement. After decades of pursuing ever-more-complex weapons systems, the Navy is choosing simplicity and reliability over cutting-edge capability.
“Sometimes the perfect is the enemy of the good,” Walsh adds. “The Navy learned that lesson the hard way with previous programs and is applying it here.”
As the first FF(X) frigates take shape in shipyards, their success or failure will influence naval shipbuilding for decades to come. The stakes couldn’t be higher for a fleet facing growing challenges from rival powers and shrinking numbers of available ships.
FAQs
Why doesn’t the new Navy frigate have a vertical launch system?
The Navy chose speed over complexity, adapting an existing Coast Guard design that doesn’t have space for VLS cells without major modifications.
When will the first FF(X) frigate be delivered?
The Navy plans to deliver the first ship by 2028, much faster than traditional frigate development timelines.
Will future FF(X) frigates get vertical launch systems?
Possibly. Later versions might include modular VLS systems or other advanced weapons as the design evolves.
How much will each FF(X) frigate cost?
Estimates range from $800 million to $1 billion per ship, significantly less than traditional frigate designs.
What weapons will the FF(X) frigate actually carry?
The ships will have a 57mm gun, close-in weapons systems, torpedoes, and advanced sensors for anti-submarine warfare.
How does this affect the Navy’s overall firepower?
Individual ships will have less missile capacity, but the Navy hopes to compensate with greater numbers of hulls in the water sooner.
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