The U.S. Navy has confirmed its interest in purchasing a new FF(X) frigate, with a design based on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter.
The information was shared by the outlet The War Zone. According to the report, the new warships are intended to fill the gap left by the cancellation of the ill-fated Constellation-class frigate program.
Announced in November, the cancellation of the Constellation program, which was intended to help offset the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, created a concerning hole in the service’s future force-structure plans.
The Navy had previously announced plans to acquire new ships that would be based on the design of an unspecified American vessel.
According to the website Breaking Defense, the design in question would be the Legend-class National Security Cutter of the U.S. Coast Guard, developed by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).
This information was confirmed by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, who posted an announcement video on his social media accounts to highlight that he had “directed the acquisition of a new frigate class based on the Legend-class National Security Cutter design from HII.”
I have directed a new Frigate class as part of @POTUS Golden Fleet. Built on a proven American design, in American shipyards, with an American supply chain, this effort is focused on one outcome: delivering combat power to the Fleet fast. pic.twitter.com/ovnASiHYaF
— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) December 19, 2025
Referring to the goal of delivering “speed and scale,” Phelan emphasized that the ship in question is a “proven vessel built in the United States that has protected U.S. interests at home and abroad.”
“President [Donald Trump] and Secretary of War [Pete Hegseth] signed off on this as part of the Golden Fleet. Our goal is clear: to launch the first hull into the water in 2028,” Phelan also said in the announcement video.
“We look forward to supporting the Navy in this critical program,” said Chris Kastner, President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, in a company press release.
Regarding the frigate itself, the Navy explained that “the FF(X) is a highly adaptable vessel. While its primary mission is surface warfare, its ability to carry modular payloads and command unmanned systems allows it to conduct a broad spectrum of operations, preparing it for the challenges of the modern maritime environment.”
“Small surface combatants have always been essential to the fleet, handling a wide range of missions where a large warship is not required. The FF(X) will continue this vital role and take on more routine operations, increasing the fleet’s operational flexibility, adaptability, and mission readiness,” the Navy said in a statement.
Photos: U.S. Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
