Congress Delays Trump-Class Battleship Start Pending Weapon Maturity, Demands FF(X) Strategy
A draft NDAA for 2027 would block any contract for the lead Trump-class battleship until the Navy certifies that its planned weapons (railgun, high-power lasers, and hypersonic missiles) are sufficiently mature, and it would require a detailed strategy for FF(X) frigate variant development, including potential Vertical Launch System options. The Navy’s plan envisions a 35,000-ton, nuclear-powered battleship using containerized weapons as a growth path, with the lead ship (USS Defiant) targeted for FY2028 and a price around $17 billion. The provisions reflect concerns about technical risk and cost and will be debated and reconciled between the House and Senate before final passage and presidential approval.