US Navy's new FFG, the Small Surface Combatant

This thread is about the news, planning, and eventual decision and build of the US Navy's new frigate, the "Small Surface Combatatnt," (SSC). Once the decision is made and a Class name comes about, I will change the name of this thread to reflect that.

This plan has been started to replace the last 28-32 planned LCS vessels with a more capable, more heavily armed, multi-role guided missile frigate vessel.

The most likely contenders are

1) Lockheed Martin offering an upgunned and upgraded, slightly larger Freedom Class LCS design
2) General Dynamics/Austral offering an upgunned and upgraded, slightly larger Independence Class LCS design
3) Huntigngton Ingalls offering their Naval Patrol Frigate version of the Coast Guard National Defense Cutter.

I like the Huntington Ingalls design. It is straight forward, not too overblown, and could be cheaper than the others...but still get the job done.

Just add a USN weapons fit to the Legend Class Cutter hull, the appropriate sensors...and there you are, ready to go.

Huntington Ingalls has already proposed various packages.

Here's the 4921 Patrol Frigate they are proposing.







76 mm gun, eight ASMs in two quad launchers, an eight cell Mk141 VLS with 32 ESSMs, torpedo tube, and two ASW helos. Built on the proven US Coast Guard NSC hull. Would be a nice design.

Both LCS manufacturers are proposing up-armed, non-mission module versions of their vessels too.

Dad gum I wish they would have chose this just looks to good I guess

Jeff, just to be clear for myself: Does the USN classify the new SSC / frigate as an FF or FFG? I thought it was the first, any hint on it becoming the latter? The HI design would certainly be a proper FFG.

FF which just means Frigate Although both the chosen Freedom and Independence class ships with the Described modifications would fit the FFG moniker FFG or Frigate Guided missile.

Jeff Head said:

This thread is about the news, planning, and eventual decision and build of the US Navy's new frigate, the "Small Surface Combatatnt," (SSC). Once the decision is made and a Class name comes about, I will change the name of this thread to reflect that.

This plan has been started to replace the last 28-32 planned LCS vessels with a more capable, more heavily armed, multi-role guided missile frigate vessel.

The most likely contenders are

1) Lockheed Martin offering an upgunned and upgraded, slightly larger Freedom Class LCS design
2) General Dynamics/Austral offering an upgunned and upgraded, slightly larger Independence Class LCS design
3) Huntigngton Ingalls offering their Naval Patrol Frigate version of the Coast Guard National Defense Cutter.

I like the Huntington Ingalls design. It is straight forward, not too overblown, and could be cheaper than the others...but still get the job done.

Just add a USN weapons fit to the Legend Class Cutter hull, the appropriate sensors...and there you are, ready to go.

Huntington Ingalls has already proposed various packages.

Here's the 4921 Patrol Frigate they are proposing.

76 mm gun, eight ASMs in two quad launchers, an eight cell Mk141 VLS with 32 ESSMs, torpedo tube, and two ASW helos. Built on the proven US Coast Guard NSC hull. Would be a nice design.

Both LCS manufacturers are proposing up-armed, non-mission module versions of their vessels too.

Click to expand...

jeff doesn't that model have a hull mounted sonar

It had both a towed mounted array at the stern and a hull mounted but in the end, It was rejected.
The Navy chose The Austal Multi-Mission Combatant and Lockheed Martin’s Multi-mission Combat Ship as the FF.

I know and I think they made the wrong decision maybe a new admin. will look at this again thanks for the info. maybe there is a chance we can still see them someday on the water instead of a concept I for one hope so.

Given how far along it is I doubt a new President will change Frigates in mid stream. I think it more likely that they might have the navy focus them into the Frigate mission and then have the navy draft a requirement for a Corvette to replace the Cyclone class Patrol ships.

That said don't give up hope the 4921 Patrol Frigate had been offered to Australia for their Offshore Combatant Vessel along with the Austal Multi Role Vessel ( a smaller sibling to the Independence class )
And Germany, Brazil and Saudi Arabia have shown some interest.

I found this on youtube. Excellent video.

I hope the Navy strikes a good balance between cost and capability.