Pentagon budget 2024: US Navy surface ship request augments destroyer and frigate acquisitions

The US Navy's proposed fiscal year 2024 budget request includes funding for two Constellation-class guided-missile frigates. (Fincantieri Marinette Marine)

The US Navy (USN) fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request includes USD14.3 billion for surface combatants, including funding to bolster guided-missile destroyer (DDG) and frigate (FFG) numbers, according to Pentagon budget documents released on 13 March.

The FY 2024 proposal includes about USD4.8 billion for two DDG 51 Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, compared with USD8.2 billion for three ships in FY 2023.

The FY 2024 request includes USD268.9 million for research and development (R&D), and the money is intended for the second year of the FY 2023–27 multi-year procurement contract for up to 10 ships, economic order quantity funding for the FY 2025–27 ships, outfitting costs, completion costs, and continued development of ship systems.

Since FY 2021, the USN has incorporated bridge system upgrades for improved navigation capability.

The FY 2024 request also includes USD2.3 billion for two Constellation-class FFGs, compared with USD1.2 billion for one ship in FY 2023.

The current request includes USD113 million for R&D and continues funding construction of the frigates, advance procurement for future ships, and continues R&D of ship systems and design.