🇺🇸 The US will begin construction of the first FF(X) frigate, with trials scheduled for 2028.
On January 8, HII Corporation CEO Chris Kastner announced that the keel of the lead frigate of the new FF(X) project, based on the Legend-class frigate, is ready to begin sea trials in 2028.
🔷 The ship will be armed with a 57mm gun mount, two 30mm automatic cannons, a RIM-116 close-in air defense system, and RGM-184A anti-ship missiles. VLS and anti-submarine warfare will not be installed in the initial phase.
🔵 The FF(X) program will replace the decommissioned Constellation class and is aimed at accelerating the addition of frigates to the US Navy to protect lines of communication and operate within naval strike groups, amid the growth of the Chinese Navy's fleet.