March 13, 2026: While the United States Navy has long used modular construction techniques for its submarines, it now wants to expand this to include construction of its new class of FF(X) Frigates.

Modular shipbuilding consists of portions of the ships being built in several different locations and then transported to a shipyard where the modules are joined together to produce the completed ship.

This approach reduces the time it takes to build a ship by several years. This modular approach has long been used for commercial ships, which inspired the American navy to adopt these techniques to build their nuclear attack and ballistic missile submarines.

The first of these new frigates is expected to enter service in 2028 with 64 more appearing during the 2030s. The FF(X) Frigates are 4,700 ton ships that are 128 meters long and have a top speed of 52 kilometers an hour. Range is 22,000 kilometers. The crew of 148 operate air and surface search radars as well as electronic warfare systems and two anti-ship missile decoy launchers. Armament consists of a 57mm gun in a turret and a 30mm autocannon. There is a 21 cell launcher for M49 anti-aircraft missiles and up to sixteen 400 kg Naval Strike Missiles with a 120 kg warhead. These missiles can be used against ships or land targets.