수상전투함 FF(X) 제원 공개

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57mm 주포, Mk.49 21연장 RAM 발사기, NSM 16발/헬파이어 48발/기타 컨테이너화된 무장을 탑재할 수 있는 공간을 갖췄다고 합니다. 주요 전장엔 투입 못시키고 카리브해에서 마약 단속이나 하겠네요. 

함미 공간은 다양하게 활용이 가능해서 추후 USV/UUV와의 협동작전도 가능하겠습니다. 이게 새로운 패러다임이 되려나요? 

미 해군 신형 호위함: FF(X) 프로그램 제원 공개
2026년 1월 16일 발행
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SNA 2026 미래 함대 패널에서 공개된 향후 FF(X)의 새로운 공식 렌더링이 포함된 슬라이드. Naval News 사진.

NAVSEA 집행이사 크리스 밀러가 주최하고 미 해군 수상전 담당 국장(N96) 데릭 트린퀘 해군 소장이 참석한 수상해군 2026 미래 함대 패널에서, 미 해군의 FF(X) 프로그램을 둘러싼 새로운 세부 사항이 공개되었다.

발표에 따르면, 이 설계는 컨스텔레이션급 함정에 적용된 기존 설계 철학과는 급진적으로 다른 방향으로, 이제 속도가 이 프로그램을 이끄는 핵심 요소임을 보여준다. FF(X) 선체는 현재 운용 중인 레전드급 해안경비대 커터에서 파생되며, 두 함정 모두 헌팅턴 잉걸스에서 생산된다.

신형 호위함의 무장은 57mm 주포, 30mm 보조포, 21발의 롤링 에어프레임 미사일을 장착한 Mk-49 발사기, 그리고 함미에 16발의 해군 타격 미사일, 48발의 헬파이어 또는 기타 컨테이너화된 무장을 적재할 수 있는 탑재 공간으로 구성된다. 전자전은 두 개의 SLQ-32(V)6 체계가 담당하며, 2기의 소프트킬 눌카(Nulka) 기만탄 발사기가 탑재된다.

총 50~65척이 여러 플라이트로 건조될 예정이며, 함급 전체 생산 주기 동안 일부 업그레이드를 위한 여지를 남겨두고 있다. 어떤 종류의 업그레이드가 적용될지는 알려지지 않았으나, 수직발사체계(VLS) 셀과 향상된 센서의 포함 가능성은 잠재적 선택지로 남아 있다.

“여기서의 비전은 우리, 즉 미 해군이 ‘박스 안의 능력’을 갖추는 것이다… 이 아이디어는 호위함과 다른 무인 플랫폼 모두에 이러한 능력을 적용해 선택지를 제공하고, 이를 통해 위험을 줄이는 데 있다.”

– 크리스 밀러, 해군해양체계사령부 집행이사

특히 주목할 점은 탑재물과 잠재적 타격 옵션과 관련한 모듈성에 대한 강조로, 함미 갑판은 호위함에 부여된 임무 유형에 따라 여러 의도된 임무를 수행할 수 있도록 설계되었다. 이는 무인 수상정(USV)과의 유·무인 협업 가능성에 대한 강조로도 보완되었다.

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FF(X) 전시 모형
SNA 2026에서 존 C. 펠런 해군장관의 기조연설 중 공개된 FF(X) 전시 모형. Naval News 이미지.

발표 중에는 미 해군 대서양함대 수상전 사령관인 조지프 케이힐 해군 소장과 프로그램 집행 책임자인 브라이언 메트칼프 해군 소장 등 핵심 해군 지휘관들이 트린퀘 소장과 밀러와 함께 해군의 요구 사항 설정 방식에 대해 설명했다.

“1995년, 나는 첫 배인 USS 필리핀 시(C G-58)에서 대마약 작전을 수행했다. 유도미사일 순양함, 혹은 오늘날의 유도미사일 구축함을 마약 단속 작전에 사용하는 것은 함대 사령관이 다시는 고민하지 않아도 되게 하고 싶은 선택이다.”

– 미 해군 수상전 담당 국장(N96) 데릭 트린퀘 해군 소장, FF(X) 요구 사항의 논리에 대해 발언하며

FF(X)는 저·중·고 혼합 전력 구조에서 ‘저’에 해당하도록 설계되었으며, DDG-51 플라이트 III 및 BBG(X)와 함께 함대 전력을 완성하는 역할을 맡는다. FF(X)는 마약 차단과 같은 저강도 위협 환경과 임무를 전담하도록 의도되어, 더 대형의 수상 전투함들이 다른 곳에 투입될 수 있도록 한다. 패널은 FF(X) 프로그램과 그 능력을 이러한 맥락에서 이해해야 한다는 점을 강하게 강조했는데, 이는 해안경비대 커터와 설계상 유사하다는 이유로 제기될 수 있는 능력 및 생존성 우려를 완화하기 위한 전략으로 보인다.

이러한 저강도 위협 프로파일과 더불어 속도에 대한 재강조(2028년까지 첫 선체 진수)는 해안경비대 커터 파생형을 선택한 주된 이유로 보인다. 이는 VLS로 무장되고, 더 대형(7,000톤 이상), 이지스/AN-SPY(V)3를 탑재한 다목적 함정을 상대적으로 높은 비용을 감수하고 개발했던 FFG-62 프로그램과는 뚜렷한 대조를 이룬다. 여기에 더해, 해당 함급은 지속적인 생산 지연과 변화하는 요구 사항으로 인해 비용이 계속 증가해 왔다.

대잠수함전(ASW) 역시 해군 소장들에 의해 강하게 언급되었으며, 컨스텔레이션급 취소에도 불구하고 함대 내 ASW 능력을 유지하겠다는 약속이 제시되었다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 선체 고정식 또는 예인 배열 소나의 부재로 보아 이 호위함이 어떤 ASW 기능을 유지할 수 있을지는 여전히 불확실한 상태다.

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FF(X), 호위함, 미 해군

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에단 고스로는 아메리칸 대학교에서 국제관계학을 전공 중인 학부생으로, 워싱턴 D.C.를 기반으로 활동하는 프리랜서 작가이다. 그는 미국 해군 동향에 관심을 가지고 있다.

New U.S Navy Frigate: FF(X) Program Specs Revealed - Naval News

New U.S Navy Frigate: FF(X) Program Specs Revealed

• Published on 16/01/2026
• By Ethan Gossrow
• In News

Slide from the Future Fleet Panel at SNA 2026 featuring a new official render of the future FF(X). Naval News Photograph.

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During Surface Navy 2026’s Future Fleet Panel hosted by Mr. Chris Miller, Executive Director at NAVSEA, and featuring Rear Admiral (RADM) Derek Trinque, the U.S Navy’s Surface Warfare Director (N96), new details surrounding the U.S Navy’s FF(X) program were unveiled.

As revealed in the presentation, the design is a radical departure from the design philosophy present in the Constellation-class of ships, a reminder that speed is now the primary factor driving the program. FF(X) hulls will be a derivative of the Legend-class Coast Guard cutters already in service, with both being produced by Huntington Ingalls.

The new Frigate’s armament will consist of a 57mm main cannon, a 30mm auxilary cannon, a Mk-49 launcher with 21 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and a payload space at the stern of the ship capable of carrying 16 Naval Strike Missiles, 48 Hellfires, or other containerized weapons. Electronic warfare is handled by two SLQ-32 (V)6 suites, with 2 soft-kill Nulka decoy launchers present.

50-65 ships will be built with multiple flights, leaving room for some potential upgrades over the class’s total production cycle. What type of upgrades may be fielded as the class progresses are unknown, but possibilities for the inclusion of armaments like VLS cells and upgraded sensors remain potential options.

“The vision here is we (the U.S Navy) will have capability in a box… The idea here is that we use those capabilities on both the frigate and other unmanned platforms to be able to give option-ality and it allows us to bring down risk.”

– Chris Miller, Executive Director, Naval Sea Systems Command

Of particular note is the emphasis on modularity regarding payloads and potential strike options, with the aft deck designed to slot in a number of intended missions depending on the type of task designated to the frigate. This was also supplemented by the emphasis placed on potential manned-unmanned teaming opportunities with USVs.

A Changing InitiativeA display model of FF(X) presented during SECNAV John C. Phelan’s keynote address at SNA 2026. Naval News Image.

During the talk, key Navy leaders such as Rear Admiral (RDML) Joseph Cahill, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Fleet, and Rear Admiral (RDML) Brian Metcalf, USN, Program Executive Officer joined RADM Trinque and Mr. Miller in shedding light on the Navy’s methodology for requirements.

“In 1995, I did counter drug ops in my first ship the USS Philippine Sea (CG-58). Using a guided missile cruiser, or nowadays a guided missile destroyer for counter narcotics ops is a choice I don’t want the fleet commander to have to go through.”

– RADM Derek Trinque, USN Surface Warfare Director (N96), speaking on the logic behind FF(X) requirements

FF(X) is intended to be the low in a low-medium-high mix, joining with DDG-51 FLT III and BBG(X) to round out fleet capabilities. FF(X) is wholly intended to target low-end threat profiles and missions such as narcotics interdiction to allow for larger surface combatants to be used elsewhere. It was very much stressed by the panel to view the FF(X) program and it’s capabilities in this context, a strategy likely meant to combat views of the frigate being too close in design to it’s Coast Guard Cutter cousin causing errant capability and survivability concerns.

This low-end threat profile, combined with a doubling-down on speed (first hull in the water by 2028) is the probable reason for the selection of a Coast Guard Cutter derivative. This is a stark departure from the FFG-62 program, which produced a VLS armed, larger (7,000+ ton), Aegis/AN-SPY(V)3 equipped, and more multi-role vessel with a trade-off of greater cost. This was in addition to a long string of production lags in the class, continually increasing costs with changing program requirements.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) was also strongly noted by the Admirals, with a promise to maintain ASW capabilities in the fleet even in the face of the cancellation of the Constellations. Despite this, it is still unknown what ASW functions the frigate can maintain, a question raised by the apparent absence of either a hull mounted or towed array sonar.

Tags

• FF(X), Frigate, US Navy

Ethan Gossrow

Ethan Gossrow is an undergraduate student at American University studying International Relations. He is also currently a freelance writer based in Washington D.C. with an interest in Naval developments in the United States

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무장이 좀 더 강한 OPV네요.

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페리급같은 제한적인 함대방공도 불가능하니 대전쟁시에는 딱히 어디 쓸 데도 없을 것 같습니다.

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2차대전 때 294척 만든 영국의 Flower형 초계함처럼 쓸 수는 있겠죠. 대공 능력은 거의 zero지만 적 항공기가 나타나지 않는 곳에서 대잠전에 쓰는 배.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower-class_corvette

Success for the Flowers should be measured in terms of tonnage protected, rather than U-boats sunk.