A U.S. company will soon design and build future small surface combatants (SSCs) for the U.S. Navy. HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to build the vessel.
Ingalls Shipbuilding will once again conduct construction activities alongside its destroyer and amphibious shipbuilding lines, with the National Security Patrol Craft being built in the same order as Ingalls Shipbuilding.
“We look forward to supporting the Navy on this critical program,” said HII President and CEO Chris Kastner.
“Speed is important, and the NSC ship design is stable and producible and will result in a predictable schedule. I am confident in the Ingalls team’s execution of this plan and our continued efforts with our partners to successfully expand the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base to meet Navy needs.”
More agile surface combatants
The new small battleship FF(X) will become an important part of the future naval fleet. FF(X) will be a smaller, more agile surface combatant designed to complement the fleet’s larger multi-mission warships and enhance operational flexibility around the world.
FF(X) is an adaptable vessel. While its primary mission is surface warfare, its ability to carry modular payloads and command unmanned systems enables it to conduct a wide range of operations, preparing it to meet the challenges of the modern maritime environment.
Based on HII legendary national safety knife design
“To achieve our goals of speed and scale, I have directed the procurement of a new frigate based on the HII Legend-class national security cutter design: a proven American-built ship that has been protecting American interests at home and abroad,” said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan.
“President Trump and the Secretary of War have signed off on this program as part of the Golden Fleet. Our goal is clear: launch the first hull in 2028. To expand capacity and production across our entire marine industrial base, we will procure these vessels using leading shipyards and pursue a competitive multi-yard construction follow-on strategy. Shipyards will be measured against one outcome: delivering combat capability to the fleet as quickly as possible.”
operational flexibility
Small surface combatants have always been vital to the fleet, performing a variety of missions that do not require larger warships. FF(X) will continue to serve in this important role and will assume more day-to-day operations, increasing the fleet’s operational flexibility, adaptability and mission readiness, according to the release.
“As with the medium landing ship, utilizing a complete design and production baseline approach will allow the Navy and shipbuilders to reduce cost, schedule and technology risk,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, the 34th Chief of Naval Operations. “We know the frigate’s design works, we know it works with the fleet and, most importantly, we now know how to build it.”
Designed for fast, cost-effective production, FF(X) delivers this important feature to fleets faster. This is achieved through new frigates based on HII’s proven and legendary class of national security patrol boats. According to the release, this approach leverages proven designs to deliver ships to our sailors immediately.
Currently, Ingalls is simultaneously building three classes of ships (DDG 51 Flight III, LHA and LPD Flight II) and modernizing the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers, including the adoption of technical upgrades such as conventional rapid strike weapon systems. Ingalls has supported the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two decades through the construction and delivery of 10 Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSCs). The final cutting machine will be delivered in October 2023.