The U.S. Navy has issued a draft request for proposals for a new guided missile frigate, being acquired through the FFG(X) competition in order to buy a total of 20 ships, and the draft solicitation outlines the construction schedule for the first 10 ships in the class.

The lead ship would be delivered 72 months after a contract is awarded. The contract will include an option for an additional nine ships.

A final RFP will be released later this year, with a contract award planned in 2020.

The Navy hopes the ships will cost around $800 million each, though the lead ship will be more expensive.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Austal USA, Lockheed Martin, Fincantieri Marine and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works are working on designs for the competition.

In the summary of the draft RFP, the Navy sets out a vision for the new class that cast the FFG(X)s in a role as a major sensor node in an emerging integrated Navy tactical battle network.

A fixed-face Raytheon Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) that will serve as the primary air search radar.

At least 32 Mark 41 Vertical Launch System cells that could field Standard Missile 2 Block IIICs or RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) and a planned vertically launched anti-submarine warfare weapon.

COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System based on the Aegis Combat System.

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) datalink that would allow the frigate to share targeting information with other ships and aircraft.

Space, weight and cooling for 8 to 16 Over-the-Horizon Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles

An aviation detachment that includes an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an MQ-8C Firescout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

AN/SQQ-89(V)15 Surface Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Combat System

AN/SQS-62 Variable Depth Sonar.

SLQ-32(V)6 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2 electronic warfare suite with allowances to include SEWIP Block 3 Lite in the future.

Space, weight and cooling reservation for a 150-kilowatt laser.