Posted on 12/22/2025 7:18:35 PM PST by Mariner
The U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that the armament package for its first “flight” of its new FF(X) frigates will not include a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS). There had been widespread questions about whether the ships would include a VLS array after renderings were released with no such feature readily apparent.
A lack of any type of VLS on the FF(X) design is a glaring omission that can only raise questions about the operational utility and flexibility of the ships. At the same time, the new frigates will be able to carry modular payloads, including containerized missile launchers, on their sterns. The Navy also has an explicit plan to employ the FF(X)s as “motherships” for uncrewed surface vessels (USV), likely offering a distributed arsenal, as well as additional sensors, for the frigates to leverage during operations.
The Navy announced its plan to acquire a fleet of new FF(X) frigates last Friday, which followed the cancellation of the abortive Constellation class program earlier in the month. The service previously confirmed that the FF(X)s will be based on the Legend class National Security Cutter (NSC), which Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) first developed for the U.S. Coast Guard.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
He's an idiot. And he must be removed and replaced with somebody who knows what the hell he's doing
“The initial flight of FF(X) will have a 57mm gun, 2 x 30mm guns, a Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile [launcher], various countermeasures, and a flight deck from which to launch helicopters and unmanned systems. Aft of the flight deck, there will be a flexible weapons system, which can accommodate containerized payloads (Counter-UAS, other missiles),” a Navy spokesperson told TWZ today. “
Really no different than the LCS.
No firepower. Worthless to the fleet.
Worse, it has to be protected.
I worked on the VLS systems when they were first developed in the 80’s..............
Anything bigger than a floating shit can is a target. A submarine sailor said that. You bet your ass I’m smiling.
Agreed.
There needs to be a top-down review and PURGE of USN leadership.
The purge of leadership will be like Pearl Harbor’s we got blitzed, I hope to the Good Lord we can get back up to speed as fast. God bless the 1st Marines. IMO
But he’s a Harvard MBA!
This debacle combined with the announced vanity “Battleships” makes me afraid for the future of the country.
Without a dominant blue water Navy, our future is at risk.
If not...what's the point??
A Frigate with less firepower than a Sherman tank.
Speculation: a long time ago in the DD(X) days (like, late 90s I think) there was talk about having towed barges with VLS cells, fired remotely. Went nowhere but perhaps that idea would make these ships useful.
So, basically a re-do of the under-gunned failed LCS boats that are being slated for mothballing before they are even launched.
The only new designed navy ships that haven't been an abject failure in decades have been the light carriers.
Is this the Bee?
I don’t know much about naval vessels. What would be the mission of this frigate, and what arms would it need to accomplish that mission? Why would designers include a “glaring omission?”
“So, basically a re-do of the under-gunned failed LCS boats that are being slated for mothballing before they are even launched. “
You can’t make this shit up.
Where is congress?
Where are the admirals?
Look at the level of weapons expenditure in Ukraine.
If we get in a shooting war with China, we will need to sustain a tempo of thousands of missiles per month.
And ships with fewer than 100 VLS cells that need to withdraw to a friendly port to rearm will not be able to sustain that.
These “modular payloads, including containerized missile launchers, on their sterns” may be a better option, even if they carry fewer missiles, if new containers can be loaded at sea.
Where is congress?
Where are the admirals?
Fleecing us and wearing women’s underwear. Watch Tora Tora Tora. People need to get their heads outta their ass.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.