I applauded the Navy’s decision to terminate the
Constellation program and still do. I
also, initially, viewed the decision to build a NSC-frigate as a poor choice
but one that had some slight potential to produce a useful vessel if certain
constraints and discipline could be applied such as a rigorous CONOPS and an
obsessive fixation on a single mission, presumably ASW..
Sadly, the program is already doomed. The vessel will,
apparently, have almost no weapons or useful sensors and no mission focus, whatsoever.
The initial NSC “frigate” will have 1x 57mm gun and 1x RAM
mount.[1] That’s it for weapons. Nothing else.
That’s not a frigate. That’s
barely even a patrol boat and is hideously oversized, overpriced, and
overmanned for that level of firepower.
The initial NSC “frigate” will NOT have a 5” gun,
VLS, anti-ship missiles, strike missiles, ASW sonar, towed array,
anti-submarine torpedoes, or CIWS.[2]
What it doesn’t have is far more impressive than what it does have.
Looking at the equipment list (or lack thereof) one can’t
help but wonder, in stunned disbelief, what the purpose of the ship is? What is the mission? It barely qualifies as a patrol boat. What is the Navy going to do with it?
It sounds like we’re just going to be building Coast Guard
cutters and not even good ones.
I know the Navy is incapable of learning lessons but after
decades of hitting themselves in the head with a hammer wouldn’t you think
they’d at least stop just to make the pain go away? I guess not.
They’ve just picked up a new hammer and immediately started whacking
themselves in the head again.
Enjoy the pain, Navy!
What a bunch of morons. Good
work, SecDef, SecNav, and CNO!
https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-new-frigate-will-not-have-vertical-launch-systems-for-missiles
https://news.usni.org/2025/12/19/secnav-new-frigate-will-be-based-on-national-security-cutter-first-ffx-to-be-built-at-ingalls
Maybe they just need to get one in the water fast that's painted grey. Then the next one is really a navy ship with armament and sensors and they repaint the first one white..... One could hope.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the Navy has been burned so many times and so badly by the last several shipbuilding programs, and Congress is so mad about it, that the Navy is now so gun shy that they just want a hull, any hull, in the water quickly and with no major problems. The combat usefulness is no longer even a concern.
DeleteThink you right, BA. My guess is the want to restart the production line as fast as possible so pretty much means, no changes or very little changes to the regular Coast Guard version and switch to a new FLIGHT 1.0 or 2.0 with some weapons and some ASW gear, I mean, USN can only blame itself for where they are right now.....
Delete"The initial NSC “frigate” will NOT have a 5” gun, VLS, anti-ship missiles, strike missiles, ASW sonar, towed array, anti-submarine torpedoes, or CIWS.[2]"
ReplyDeleteMinor quibble. I completely agree with your general thrust that the ship is grotesquely under-armed for a frigate. However, I'm not so sure about the "no anti-ship or strike missiles" thing. There are a couple sentences in the reference that (somewhat ambiguously) talk about only minor modifications. On the other hand, the artist's conception in the reference (as well as in previous articles I've seen) does appear to include what look like missile launchers on the fantail where the boat launching ramp used to be.
"On the other hand, the artist's conception"
DeleteThe artist's conception is intended to be the best possible version of the vessel. Everything I've read states that a platform will be constructed over the stern to POSSIBLY accommodate some sort of container for missiles but not initially.
We have seen too many good examples of Frigate platforms pass us by - Type 23, the Asagiri/Takanami - Asashi series.. now Type 31 and Modified Mogami show us what we should be expecting.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I was under the impression (seems misguided) that they would revert back to the 2012 timeframe and select either the PF 4501 or the PF 4921 variant from HIIs NSC.
ReplyDeleteOne is the PF 4501 – essentially a gray version of the while-hulled NSC with minimal modifications. The key external
change is a modified stern launch and recovery ramp for a RHIB.
The other, PF 4921, features a more extensive set of
changes – primarily in its combat systems. Around 70 percent of the ship design is to Naval Vessel Rules (NVR), according
to HII.
Both designs share the hull form and propulsion system of the NSC. Principal dimensions are a length of 418 feet/127.4
meters, a beam of 54 feet/16.5 meters, a draft of 22 feet/6.7 meters and a displacement of 4,600 metric tons. The NSC’s
flexible CODOG propulsion system, with one LM 2500 gas turbine and two MTU 20V 1163 diesels, permits twin-screw
operations with any one of the three engines if required. Top speeds are 18 knots on one diesel, 24 knots on two diesels and
28+ knots with all three engines online. Cruising speeds are in the 9-11 knot range.
The PF 4501 is an OPV that has a range of 12,000 nautical miles and an endurance of 60 days. Weapons and sensors are
similar to the NSC, with a Bofors 57 mm main gun, six machine guns, and a Phalanx close in weapons system (CIWS).
Sensors include a 3D radar and optronic systems. The ship can launch two SH-60 sized helicopters or one helicopter and an
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The PF 4501 has a bow thruster – a feature that the PF 4921 lacks. Ship’s complement is
148 persons.
On the other hand, the PF 4921 is a light frigate for executing anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. However, it
sacrifices range – which is about a third less than the PF 4501 – for vastly enhanced combat capabilities. Armament is a 76
mm main gun, a vertical launch unit for the evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), a Phalanx or SeaRAM CIWS, and six
crew-served as well as remotely operated machine guns. Mounted aft are two quad packed Harpoon surface-to-surface
missile launchers and a triple torpedo tube launcher. Sensors shown on the concept ship include a CEAFAR radar system, a
hull mounted sonar and a towed array sonar system. Ship’s complement is 141.
I would think the latter variant would be preferred based on a more robust armament/capabilities.
Link: https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/patrol-frigate-concepts-from-huntington-ingalls-industries-gain-traction-internationally/