Pentagon budget 2022: US Navy looks to fund additional frigate, destroyer work

The US Navy is seeking more than USD3.2 billion in its proposed fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget for its guided-missile destroyer (DDG) and frigate (FFG) programmes, while looking to decommission some of its Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) and guided-missile cruisers (CGs).

Released on 28 May, the FY 2022 budget requests USD2 billion for one DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which slated to be a Flight III ship equipped with the Advanced Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the AN/SLQ 32 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block III.

However, USN officials acknowledged that previously another DDG had been planned to be included in in the FY 2022 request.

The FY 2022 budget request also contains USD1.2 billion to procure the third Constellation-class FFG and advance procurement for two future ships.

The proposed budget also requests USD109.5 million into continue Aegis Weapon System (AWS) design and development, and C4I integration, and test and evaluation.

The budget proposal also includes USD121.8 million to continue development of Next-Generation Large Surface Combatant (DDG(X)), including funding for preliminary design, design analysis, test planning, land-based testing, and developing detailed design and construction requirements for procurement of the lead ship.

For other surface-ship acquisitions, the proposed budget also includes the following requests: USD27.8 million for research and development of the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) for refueling, rearming and resupply of naval assets - afloat and ashore; USD744.2 million for one John Lewis class oiler (T-AO 205) and advance procurement funds for one future oiler; USD183.8 million for two towing, salvage, and rescue ships (T-ATS); and USD434.4 million for one ocean surveillance ship (T-AGOS(X)).