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WASHINGTON (April 30, 2020) An artist rendering of the guided-missile frigate FFG(X). The new small surface combatant will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. (U.S. Navy graphic/Released)
Defense News has a short post, “Surface navy emphasizes frigates in its latest modernization plans.”
It includes a couple of statements by the Navy’s director of surface warfare that I think might be significant.
“We want to build a lot of frigates and [have] somewhat smaller, very capable ships being proliferated out through the fleet,” Rear Adm. Fred Pyle told Defense News on Dec. 7. (emphasis applied–Chuck)
and
But also of importance, he added, will be the ability to remain on station longer and require less help from fleet tankers and other logistics ships.
Ships, somewhat smaller than the 7,291 ton FFG but with long endurance. Bet it will have space for unmanned systems. Sounds like might make a decent cutter. Perhaps a dual service ship. Build the cutters with fewer weapon systems, but with the option to add them on if needed.
I may be a bit prejudiced in favor of dual service ships, because of my experience on Duane, a Treasury class cutter, a ship based on a Navy gunboat design. Because of its origin, it was better than it had to be, and outlived ships completed ten years after the 327s.
Very curious what they will come up with.
