US Navy News and updates

[SammyC]

And just found this, courtesy of a US based forum, FWIW:

Navy wants new frigate in 2028, says service's acquisition head - Breaking Defense

Navy Secretary John Phelan recently told attendees at a private dinner that the new frigate would be a modified National Security Cutter, sources told Breaking Defense.

breakingdefense.com

I wonder if they will expand/transfer production of the legend class derivitive to Marinette (on the basis this is the design they will authorise). HHI has a lot of work already on their books and Marinette have a massive hole in theirs.

The USN and Coastguard normally buy the rights to the design of a ship, so they should have flexibility to select the construction yard.

 

[koxinga]

Why would the Legend class (or derivatives) now be acceptable when the design was not selected originally for the Constellation class contract?

Your implied assumption is there were flaws, inadequacy that resulted in the Legend design not being selected.

But given how that "winner" turned out, it would question how decisions were made back then, rather than adequacy of design. We simply do not know.

I always had q suspicion that the choice was partly due to desire to spread US shipbuilding contracts around, in this case to Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM).

 

[Joe Black]

I wonder if they will expand/transfer production of the legend class derivitive to Marinette (on the basis this is the design they will authorise). HHI has a lot of work already on their books and Marinette have a massive hole in theirs.

The USN and Coastguard normally buy the rights to the design of a ship, so they should have flexibility to select the construction yard.

BTW, Its HII not HHI.
HHI = Korean's Hyundai Heavy Industries,
HII = Huntington Ingalls Industries

 

[OldTex]

The USN acting acquisition executive is being reported as saying that the future frigate will be "in the water 2028". It was emphasized that the new frigate effort will avoid previous design risks by relying on platforms with proven service histories. Focusing on high-confidence U.S. designs, underscoring the USN’s intent to work with domestic shipyards and reduce reliance on foreign-derived systems. The service is also prioritizing production methods that support faster construction schedules and lower operational risk. Details on the new frigate class, including specifications and the lead shipbuilder, have not been formally released. However, it was indicated that the effort will likely draw on mature hull designs and subsystems already in use across the fleet.

All of this could suggest that the NSC-L (Legend class) or one of its derivative designs is the most likely candidate. Especially as the 11th example of the NSC-L was only cancelled this year.

 

[John Fedup]

I see little chance of the Legend class or derivative being any more successful than other failed USN efforts. The F/A XX delay has been blamed on the US industrial base not being capable of supporting two 6th gen fighters (BS IMHO). A better reason would be zero faith in the USN to get the F/A XX right.

 

[StobieWan]

They're snorting crack if they think they'll have a design in the water by 2028 - I don't see any signs of self awareness in that announcement. They're literally making all the same noises about using a proven design etc.

I'd chuck another vote in for the Arrowhead 140 personally, large, flexible, easy to build in modules so the work can be spread around various yards. And you can go from any spec from an OPV to a full fat frigate easily.

 

[spoz]

I see little chance of the Legend class or derivative being any more successful than other failed USN efforts. The F/A XX delay has been blamed on the US industrial base not being capable of supporting two 6th gen fighters (BS IMHO). A better reason would be zero faith in the USN to get the F/A XX right.

The NSC build went pretty well for the Coast Guard after the inevitable (in modern Western shipbuilding) bumbling start. As I noted above, it is entirely possible LLIs are already available at Ingalls; and it is conceivable that some reusable hull sections might exist. While the NSC is not exactly a “hot” line, it is not far off it. And early knowledge of, or thoughts about, using it as the basis of a frigate might be behind the cancellation of Friedman.

 

[76mmGuns]

They're snorting crack if they think they'll have a design in the water by 2028 - I don't see any signs of self awareness in that announcement. They're literally making all the same noises about using a proven design etc.

I'd chuck another vote in for the Arrowhead 140 personally, large, flexible, easy to build in modules so the work can be spread around various yards. And you can go from any spec from an OPV to a full fat frigate easily.

While I agree it would be a good option, I can see it being americanised to death. If nothing else, the US will insist on different guns, which means it will be lesser armed, since it means a 57mm main guns, and 2 x 30mm guns , imho

 

[spoz]

All the announcements have said it will be a US design. The Arrowhead is not that.

 

[koxinga]

Optics/Politics

A foreign design will be seen as repeating the same steps as the Constellation programme, even though the blame for that debacle can be attributed to their own inability to lock down the requirements, even if the design is good.