Seriously?
The Navy’s new class of 20 guided-missile frigates could cost an estimated $950 million per hull, the Naval Sea Systems Command FFG(X) program manager said on Tuesday.
To be fair, the Navy expects the average cost to be under $800 million per ship despite the formal cap of $950 million.
But that's the first optimistic cost plan before contact with the procurement/shipbuilding enemy.
How long before the costs approach the $1.8 billion cost of our existing Burke class destroyers?
I realize that even the low end of a high-low mix can't be like the small combatants of Eurasian states because our small ships have to cross big oceans before they fight. So there is a size minimum.
But the costs of this frigate will be too much for a true bulk ship.
If it was up to me I'd keep the ship's capabilities minimal for routine presence missions in peacetime; while leaving room to install shipping containers on the deck with added weapons in case of war.
If that container upgrade option allows the Navy to reduce the cost of LCS modules and make those ships more capable during war and allows the Navy (or Army) to outfit modularized auxiliary cruisers, that's a bonus to that approach.
