These 5 Naval Platforms Will Ensure America’s Supremacy at Sea
All of these upcoming programs are essential for the Navy’s continued power projection out at sea.
Although shipbuilding delays and budgetary constraints have plagued all of the U.S. military’s upcoming programs, the Navy hopes to field several next-generation systems over the next decade. From the F/A-XX fighter jet and the Constellation-class frigates to the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the Ford-class aircraft carriers, the service is gearing up to ensure its sea-based supremacy.
The F/A-XX
Industry experts and aviation buffs alike are anticipating the Navy’s decision pertaining to who will build its sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter series. All the big name manufacturers, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, have previously submitted details proposals for evaluation. Designed to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler airframes, the upcoming fighter is expected to be equipped with advanced range, sensors, stealth capabilities, and other emerging technologies. Like the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance program, the F/A-XX will be integrated to fly with unmanned platforms.
The Constellation-class frigates
Set to commission by the end of the decade, the Navy’s fourth Constellation-class guided missile frigate will enter service alongside its sister ships with multi-mission capacities. The advanced warships in this class are designed to carry out air warfare, information operations, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare. Armament-wise, the Constellation frigates can pack a punch. The Mk41 vertical launch system will be incorporated, enabling the warships to fire a range of surface-to-air missiles like the Sea Sparrow.
The Columbia-class submarines
The Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines are designed to replace the aging Ohio-class boats. According to the service, the timely introduction of these submarines is its number one acquisition priority. Equipped with sixteen missile tubes, the Columbia boats will be able to launch sixteen Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Widely considered to be the most advanced ballistic missile in service across the globe, the Trident II will make the Columbia boats especially lethal.
The Ford-class aircraft carriers
As the Navy’s tried and trusted Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are nearing the end of their service lives, the service is counting on the Ford-class ships to serve as formidable successors. The USS Gerald R. Ford recently reached operational capacity and is set to be joined by John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), USS Enterprise (CVN-80), and USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) down the line. These hefty warships will incorporate sophisticated technologies like an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and an Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), increasing sortie rates by 25 percent and generating triple the power.
While all of these upcoming programs are essential for the Navy’s continued power projection out at sea, budgetary issues and shipbuilding constraints have hampered nearly all of the service’s endeavors. However, the current Trump administration’s “Make Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative is a sweeping government-wide overhaul drafted to speed up America’s shipbuilding capacity. Only time will tell whether or not this plan will actually yield successful results.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
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