How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. on sea trials. (Photo: HII)
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division on 30 November delivered Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. to the USN.
Frank E. Petersen Jr. marks the 33rd destroyer built by Ingalls for the USN, with four further Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, Jack H. Lucas, Ted Stevens and Jeremiah Denton currently under construction.
Ingalls Shipbuilding president Kari Wilkinson praised the company’s Destroyer, Guided Missile (DDG) team, commenting on the programme milestone in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The destroyer is named for LtGen Frank E. Petersen Jr, the USMC’s first African-American aviator and general officer.
In September, Frank E. Petersen Jr. completed acceptance trials.
The USN has ordered 47 Flight IIA destroyers from HII and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, with the first entering service in 2000.
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
The US Coast Guard is expected to acquire new aircraft, helicopters, vessels and ISR sensors this fiscal year using resources from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.