The U.S. Navy has announced plans to develop a new class of smaller, more agile combatant ships designed to enhance operational flexibility. The first vessel in the FF(X) class is set to launch in 2028, based on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter design. This initiative aims to establish a “critical component of the Navy’s fleet of the future,” according to Navy Secretary John Phelan in a video announcement released on December 19.
Phelan emphasized the importance of this new frigate class, stating, “To deliver at speed and scale, I’ve directed the acquisition of a new frigate class based on [the design by Huntington Ingalls Industries], a proven, American-built ship that has been protecting U.S. interests at home and abroad.” The initiative has received backing from President Trump and the Secretary of War as part of the strategic Golden Fleet plan.
The FF(X) class is characterized as a “highly adaptable vessel” capable of executing a variety of missions, including surface warfare, modular payload transport, and unmanned systems operations. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle highlighted the pressing need for enhanced flexibility in the Navy’s fleet, citing recent deployments to the Red Sea and the Caribbean. “Our small surface combatant inventory is a third of what we need,” Caudle stated. “We need more capable blue-water small combatants to close the gap and keep our guided missile destroyers focused on the high-end fight.”
Addressing Shipbuilding Challenges
The Navy is optimistic that leveraging the existing Legend-class design will mitigate some of the cost and scheduling risks that have plagued recent shipbuilding efforts. A March 2025 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted two decades of underwhelming performance in U.S. shipyards, leading to delayed deliveries—some vessels arriving up to three years behind schedule—and functional issues in those that are completed.
Shelby S. Oakley, a director at the GAO, addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee, citing unrealistic cost and timing expectations as major contributors to these delays. Oakley described the U.S. shipbuilding industry as operating in a “perpetual state of triage.”
Phelan and Caudle believe that the FF(X) class will signify a turning point. “We know this frigate design works,” Caudle remarked. “We know it operates with the fleet. And most importantly, we know how to build it—now.”
Phelan elaborated on the acquisition strategy, indicating that a lead shipyard will be designated, accompanied by a competitive follow-on strategy for multi-yard construction. “Shipyards will be measured against one outcome: delivering combat power to the fleet as fast as possible,” he asserted. The goal is to replicate the approach successfully employed with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, enabling a design that can evolve in response to emerging threats and advancements in technology.
The Navy’s commitment to the FF(X) class represents a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and adaptability of its fleet in an increasingly complex global security environment.