Frigate-Select Timetable Shifts

The Navy will make a down-select decision for its next frigate in 2018 instead of 2019, Seapower Magazine reported May 18. The new vessel will be based on the Freedom-class or Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS), and now has a hull number for the first in its class – FF 29. Depending upon configuration, the ship will be able to conduct the same anti-surface and anti-submarine missions as the LCS. It will be able to carry 57mm and 30mm guns, Hellfire Longbow missiles, Multifunction Towed Array, variable-depth sonar, a MH-60R helicopter, an MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, a SeaRAM missile launcher, and an over-the-horizon cruise missile. The Navy plans to release its Request for Proposals later next year.