The United States Navy has awarded a $283 million contract to HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division to initiate lead yard support activities for its next-generation FF(X) frigate program.
Under this agreement, Ingalls will undertake early design efforts, procure long-lead materials, and carry out pre-construction planning for the first vessel. Initial work will also involve cutting and shaping raw materials to establish the structural groundwork and construction sequence for the ship.
The contract is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition from design to production, minimizing potential delays when full-scale shipbuilding begins. It also enables Ingalls to align early planning tasks with its existing production infrastructure.
The FF(X) program is intended to deliver a more compact and agile surface combatant capable of operating alongside larger naval platforms while enhancing mission flexibility across global operations. The US Navy formally selected Ingalls in December 2025 to lead the design and construction of the new frigate class.
Ingalls Shipbuilding has strengthened its role in US naval programs over the past year. In March, the company authenticated the keel of the Navy’s 16th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock in Mississippi. It also completed builder’s sea trials for the USS Zumwalt in January, a key step in modernizing the Navy’s first Conventional Prompt Strike-equipped destroyer.
Additionally, in 2024, Ingalls launched both the USS Harrisburg and USS Richard M. McCool Jr., further expanding its shipbuilding portfolio.
