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Lockheed also has a multi-mission surface combatant propposal of their Freedom LCS as well.

What we need is something to replace the Perrys, that can also fight in the litorals but not give up the Air, ASW, and ASuW capabilities that the LCS have to switch out to obtain at any given time.

In the US Naval Institute Proceedings for this month they had a great discussion about this and the proposal for a 4,500t FFG with the two Harpoon cannister launchers, an MK-41 VLS, a 76mm or 127mm gun, a couple of 25-40mm auto cannons for secondary guns, a RAM launcher (21 cell variety) and a hanger for a full sized Lamps III helo.

US NAVY 21ST CENTURY

Sweet looking FFG and something we should build in some numbers IMHO.

The Chinese are doing so and have already built 16 of the following in the last 6-7 years and are building more...as well as pumping out modern DDGs about as fast.

THE RISING SEA DRAGION IN ASIA - TYPE 054A FFG

The French designed Formidable class frigates (operated by Singapore) and a new class of Aegis-equipped frigates built by Spain for Norway are good starting points for the kind of medium combatant.

Unfortunately the USN is too wedded to post-service payoffs to consider a cost effective FFG with real capability.

The LCS is a DISASTER in the making.

We need 50-100 hulls in the 3,000 - 4,500 Ton class with all the modern voodoo.

With that voodoo you can get crew size down to about 100.

I'm a big believer in the Ingalls "Patrol Frigate 4921" with the 12,000nm range and 60 day endurance. Harpoon and VLS for SM-3. All the voodoo.

Buy 50 of them and they'll be but $300-$350 Mil per copy.

Very sweet ship and exactly what the USN needs today.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/01/ingalls_presenting_patrol_frig.html