:

Navy/USMC

Work To Begin Building First FF(X) Frigate Is ‘Imminent,’ HII CEO Says

By Matthew Beinart

Thursday, January 8th, 2026

SHARE:

Work To Begin Building First FF(X) Frigate Is ‘Imminent,’ HII CEO Says

National Security Cutter James. Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries

Work to begin building the first FF(X) multi-mission frigate is “imminent,” the CEO of shipbuilding firm HII [HII] has said, adding he has “high confidence” meeting the Navy’s goal for an initial trial run in 2028. HII CEO Chris Kastner told reporters on Thursday the initial FF(X) will have limited design changes from the Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) fleet on which it’s based. “Based on limiting designs and being disciplined in the design, and we have senior…

Congress

U.S. Fighter Fleet Will Expand By 2040 But More Stealth Aircraft Will Mean Less Availability, CBO Says

The number of fighter aircraft in the U.S. military inventory will decline over the next few years before expanding to a greater number than currently, but their availability for operational […]

Congress

White House Details ‘Concerns’ With Shipbuilding, Spaced-Based Interceptor Oversight In House’s NDAA

The White House has detailed “a number of concerns” with the newly-passed House version of the next defense policy bill, to include the legislation’s limits on procuring Navy ships built […]

Congress

House Narrowly Votes To Pass $1.15 Trillion FY ‘27 NDAA, Blueprint For Reconciliation 3.0

The House on Wednesday narrowly voted to pass its $1.15 trillion version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and a blueprint for a third reconciliation bill […]

Congress

Senate Appropriators Press On Supplemental’s Requests Beyond Iran Scope, Hegseth Urges Full Funding

Senate appropriators have pressed Pentagon leadership on the decision to include funds in the Iran war supplemental request for items beyond the current military operation, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth […]