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.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems has received a sole-source contract (worth up to $724 million if all options are exercised) from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to conduct full development and lifecycle engineering for the Aegis ballistic missile defence (BMD) system.
Specifically, the contract involves support for Aegis Baseline (BL) 5.4.1 (BMD 4.2) development; BL 9 (BMD 5.X) development; Aegis BMD In-Service support; BMD ground and flight test support; modelling and simulation support; Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex combat system engineering, testing, site support, modernisation, technical and logistics support; and Aegis BMD ship installation and planning.
The work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of February 2024.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
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.