FFG(X): Constellation-class

[Uncle Fester]

In other news: SECNAV has named FFG(X) Constellation. https://news.usni.org/2020/10/07/secnav-braithwaite-names-first-ffgx-uss-constellation

Given the history of Constellation (as a frigate name), I like it.

 

[Griz882]

Good name.

 

[Jim123]

7,400 tons, VLS, towed array sonar, SPY radar, helicopter plus robocopter, that's a CLG. I like it. I like so far.

I might have missed it in the wiki write-up but does it have two screws or one?

 

[Pags]

Good name. Good history. Better capabilities than LCS.

 

[wink]

What happened to the LCS reclasification to frigate?

 

[wlawr005]

In other news: SECNAV has named FFG(X) Constellation. https://news.usni.org/2020/10/07/secnav-braithwaite-names-first-ffgx-uss-constellation

Given the history of Constellation (as a frigate name), I like it.

It's certainly better than naming a capital warship after a cook.

 

[Notanaviator]

It's certainly better than naming a capital warship after a segregationist Senator whose contribution to the Naval Service was signing NDAA’s as Chairman of SASC.

FIFY. I’ll take a cook any day if it happens to be a cook who was awarded the Navy Cross and died in service to our country. That’s not meant to come off snippy, and on the topic I appreciate respect for the legacy of other names borne by the class. Constellation is a great example, and there are a ton of CV names out there that would be great to bring back.

 

[AllAmerican75]

What happened to the LCS reclasification to frigate?

The LCS wasn't selected for the new FFG program. They should be reclassified as corvettes, but alas.

 

[wink]

LCS to frigate was certainly a stretch, but it did give them a chance to repurpose into something useful. I don't think there will be a place for a corvette in the US Navy. But we could unload them in FMSs calling them corvettes. They have to lose their LCS stink and lots of counties operate corvette size vessels.

 

[BigRed389]

7,400 tons, VLS, towed array sonar, SPY radar, helicopter plus robocopter, that's a CLG. I like it. I like so far.

I might have missed it in the wiki write-up but does it have two screws or one?

Look at the FREMM wiki, the platform data there should mostly be unchanged. Two shafts. It’s mainly the topside/weapons/sensors stuff we’re going to fiddle with in the design.

Radar is going to be a EASR - scaled down version of new DDG SPY radar. Similar if not identical to what will go on new CVNs as well.

 

[AllAmerican75]

Look at the FREMM wiki, the platform data there should mostly be unchanged. Two shafts. It’s mainly the topside/weapons/sensors stuff we’re going to fiddle with in the design.

Radar is going to be a EASR - scaled down version of new DDG SPY radar. Similar if not identical to what will go on new CVNs as well.

So it will be similar to SPY-6? If so, that's a cool piece of kit. I got to see the anechoic chamber that they were testing an array in at Raytheon and it was fascinating.

 

[BigRed389]

So it will be similar to SPY-6? If so, that's a cool piece of kit. I got to see the anechoic chamber that they were testing an array in at Raytheon and it was fascinating.

Yeah that whole AESA thing is pretty cool.

Technically SPY-6 is now a "family of radars", and it's adaptable to a lot of different configurations.
The FFG version is (v)3, which is the CVN version (rotating) turned into fixed faces in a 360 coverage arrangement.

 

[Pags]

So it will be similar to SPY-6? If so, that's a cool piece of kit. I got to see the anechoic chamber that they were testing an array in at Raytheon and it was fascinating.

Does raytheon have their own anechoic chamber? If so, where and how big?

 

[Griz882]

Does raytheon have their own anechoic chamber? If so, where and how big?

I think it is in El Segundo CA. Right next to LAX. All I can say is that it is “big,” like five or more stories tall.

 

[Brett327]

I think it is in El Segundo CA. Right next to LAX. All I can say is that it is “big,” like five or more stories tall.

I was in that facility last year when they put NGJ through initial testing. Pretty incredible capabilities.