New Navy Study Eyes Expanded Air Defense Capability, Different Hulls For Future Frigates

The U.S. Navy says it is studying the possibility of increasing the air defense capabilities of its future frigates as well as opening up the design competition beyond the current small surface combatants, reports USNI News.

The Navy's ongoing study will balance the original frigate requirements, which called for up-gunning the existing littoral combat ship designs with additional anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities, with the desire for air defense capabilities...