The U.S. Navy unveiled detailed plans for its FF(X) frigate program at the Surface Navy Association symposium, confirming the service will forgo integrated vertical launch systems in favor of containerized weapons that can be swapped on the ship's fantail. The 128m (421-foot), 4,750-ton design derives from the Coast Guard's operational Legend-class National Security Cutter, with NAVSEA targeting first hull in water by 2028. This timeline is driven by the need to add surface combatant capacity after the Constellation-class program collapse. Initial armament options include 16 Naval Strike Missiles or 48 Hellfires in modular containers, with Mk70 vertical launchers and towed sonar arrays planned for future integration.

The decision represents a doctrinal bet that "capability in a box" can compensate for reduced built-in firepower, trading the 32-cell VLS array originally required for Constellation-class in exchange for production speed and payload flexibility. The frigate's deliberately limited built-in armament — 57mm gun, 30mm cannon, 21-cell RAM point defense. Navy officials acknowledged the design lacks integrated anti-submarine warfare sensors and area air defense capability, positioning the frigates as motherships for future unmanned surface vessels that would provide distributed firepower and ISR. The architecture validates years of containerized weapon development, while opening the frigate mission set to any system that fits in a shipping container with a combat system interface. The program also signals opportunity for any contractor with containerized weapons, sensors, or ASW systems ready for shipboard integration.

Saildrone's combat-proven unmanned surface vessels will integrate Lockheed Martin's JAGM Quad Launcher under a $50 million strategic partnership announced January 15. The Surveyor-class platform, already deployed continuously in US Navy combat theaters with 130,000 nautical miles and 116,000 contacts logged, transitions from ISR asset to multi-mission strike platform. Live fire demonstrations planned for 2026, with roadmap extending to Mk70 VLS integration on larger hulls supporting the Navy's distributed maritime operations concept.

Ukrainian forces deployed Skyeton's hydrogen-electric Raybird UAV for deep reconnaissance missions starting December 2025, validating hydrogen propulsion as a combat-ready alternative to battery or combustion power. Platform achieves 12-hour endurance with minimal thermal and acoustic signature, enabling extended ISR in contested environments where heat-seeking threats dominate. Fuel cell architecture supports field-swappable tanks or on-site hydrogen generation, removing logistical constraints that limit conventional UAV operations.

China validated its Tianma-1000 unmanned cargo aircraft in first flight, demonstrating ton-class autonomous logistics capability developed by defense conglomerate NORINCO. Platform operates from sub-200m strips at altitudes to 8,000m with 1,800 km range, specs aligned with contested-environment military resupply. Modular architecture enables rapid switching between standard cargo and airdrop modes, with optical-guided landing enabling autonomous operations in fog, snow, and rain.

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