Jan 14, 2026 - Technology

HII boss has "high confidence" in 2028 milestone for Navy's new frigate

Colin Demarest

HII CEO Chris Kastner speaks at a conference in Washington on June 17, 2025. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

HII chief executive Chris Kastner has "high confidence" the U.S. Navy's future frigate will launch in 2028, following word that the warship will be based on the company's National Security Cutter.

The big picture: The NSC is the centerpiece of the Coast Guard's fleet. It's been in service for almost two decades.

"They know exactly what it can do," Kastner said. "The Navy's been on that ship and fully understands the capabilities of that ship."

Critics have questioned its wartime fitness, including potential armaments.

The intrigue: A previously pursued frigate, the Constellation class, built by Fincantieri, was nixed days before Thanksgiving after years of trouble.

Only two of those six ships will now be built.

Driving the news: Kastner briefed reporters at the company's Crystal City offices ahead of the annual Surface Navy Association conference.

He said the first ship will have "limited design changes" and those alterations "will be topside, which means you're not changing the fundamental structure of the ship, which means you can start now."
Design work is ongoing. The actual cutting of steel, he added, "is imminent."

Zoom out: The Trump administration has zeroed in on shipbuilding as China, Japan and South Korea dominate the market.

Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan late last year revealed the Golden Fleet initiative, which includes the frigate and a heavily armed neo-battleship.

Go deeper: U.S. Navy secretary's "strategic shift" sinks four frigates

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HII boss has "high confidence" in 2028 milestone for Navy's new frigate

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