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.
Sun sets on more Ticonderoga-class cruisers
USS Hué City at Naval Station Norfolk on 22 September 2022. (Photo: USN)
Only two-thirds of the vessels in the Ticonderoga class remain in service with the USN after two more cruisers were decommissioned last week.
The USN on 22-23 September decommissioned two more Ticonderoga-class cruisers, leaving 18 in service out of an original total of 27.
USS Anzio and USS Hué City were taken out of service after 30 and 31 years respectively under USN plans to remove five cruisers in FY2022 (it originally wanted to divest seven).
USS Vella Gulf was the first to go on 4 August, followed by USS Monterey on 19 September.
Related Articles
Vigor contracted to modernise USN Ticonderoga-class cruisers
Waning buying power hits USN plans, CNO warns
USS Port Royal is scheduled to be decommissioned on 29 September.
Testifying on 17 June 2021 before the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, VAdm Jim Kilby, then the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, outlined the financial reasons for decommissioning the vessels.
‘The cost to modernise Hue City and Anzio alone is $1.5 billion approximately,’ he said.
Similarly, Chief of Naval Operations Adm Mike Gilday noted in July 2021 that the Ticonderoga class costs about $5 billion per cruiser to own and operate over five years.
The vessels are also showing their age, he said: 'We are seeing cracks, and we are seeing challenges in the material conditions of these ships that are to a certain degree unpredictable.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?]()
-
![How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate]()
How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate
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.
-
![US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October]()
US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October
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.
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
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.
-
![US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months]()
US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
-
![What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future]()
What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
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.
