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.
The UK has initiated a ‘refresh’ of its earlier agreed shipbuilding strategy in a bid to boost an industry that still lags behind many of its European and international rivals, amid calls for the sector to improve its productivity by senior government and military figures.
Senior government officials and military personnel took the opportunity at the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) annual conference to push UK shipyards to reform in order to win a greater share of the global commercial and military vessel market.
Delivering the keynote speech on 16 March, UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace claimed
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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.