I noticed a glaring weakness that will ensure the US Navy does not choose this platform without major changes.
It’s limited to 28.5 knots, top speed.
It’s range limited to 4,500 nautical miles.
A US Frigate has to be an integral part of a Carrier Battle Group.
That dictates 30+ knots and 7,000 NM range. That’s the bare minimum entry to the big boys club.
I served on frigates and the primary mission of a frigate is ocean escort and ASW. I spent 4 years at sea on a frigate and spent maybe 4 days in a CVBG.
Destroyers and cruisers are CVBG escorts, not frigates.
The only reason our frigate was in a cvbg for a few days was that the there was some new requirement that all frigates had to have some time (familiarization) in cvbg in case of emergencies. If frigates are in a CVBG then something has gone very wrong. The frigate I was on took on fuel (unrep) from the CVN, yes they carry dfm. Lots of it.