The U.S. Navy has awarded HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding a $283 million contract to begin lead yard support work for the Navy's new FF(X) frigate program, marking a major next step in the service's effort to accelerate delivery of a new class of small surface combatants. The contract covers long-lead material procurement, design work and pre-construction activities for the first ship, while also allowing Ingalls to begin cutting and shaping raw material as the program transitions from design toward production.
The award is one of the first major contractual moves since the Navy's December 2025 decision to base its next-generation frigate on Ingalls' proven Legend-class National Security Cutter design after canceling four troubled Constellation-class frigates. Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette said the company is proud of its past performance in engineering, design and production of warships that meet U.S. military standards, and is excited to partner with the Navy to bring these preproduction steps under contract to accelerate delivery.
The Navy has framed the FF(X) program as a speed-driven reset for its small surface combatant fleet, leaning on an existing design and established production line in an effort to avoid the delays and design instability that plagued the Constellation-class program. Under the contract, Ingalls will begin foundational work on the lead ship's structure and construction sequencing while supporting broader design maturation.
The Pascagoula shipyard plans to build the frigates alongside ongoing production of Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers, America-class amphibious assault ships and San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks. Ingalls said it has invested more than $1 billion in shipyard modernization and is evaluating ways to expand capacity further, including distributed shipbuilding partnerships and potentially adding another U.S. shipyard.
The Navy selected the 418-foot Legend-class cutter design as the basis for FF(X) in part because of its mature production record. Ingalls has delivered ten National Security Cutters to the Coast Guard, giving the Navy a platform that officials argue can reach the fleet faster than a clean-sheet combatant. The contract suggests the Navy is moving quickly to preserve its stated goal of getting the first FF(X) in the water by 2028.
Key Takeaways:
1. U.S. Navy awarded HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding a $283 million lead yard support contract for the FF(X) frigate program.
2. The contract covers long-lead material procurement, design and pre-construction work; Ingalls will begin cutting raw material.
3. The next-generation frigate is based on the Legend-class National Security Cutter design after canceling four Constellation-class frigates.
4. Ingalls will build the frigates at Pascagoula alongside Arleigh Burke Flight III, America-class and San Antonio-class production.
5. The Navy aims to put the first FF(X) in the water by 2028; Ingalls has invested over $1 billion in shipyard modernization.
