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 RN has been criticised for its ships being well-defended but lacking lethality. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
In a 10 February speech, the head of the UK RN, First Sea Lord Adm Sir Ben Key, expressed an ambition to make the service a global leader in hypersonic weapons; however, the service will have to play catch-up to meet these ambitions.
The ambition to become a global leader in hypersonic weapons comes after the RN formally cancelled plans to acquire an interim replacement for the Harpoon missile, leaving it with an anti-ship missile capability gap between 2023 and 2028.
Speaking during a visit to Scotland to see the shipyards building the Inspiration-class Type 31 and City-class Type
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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.