Why a slower Freedom-class frigate still does not work

Could the Freedom-class LCS become a future frigate by receiving conventional propulsion and giving up extreme speed?

The high-speed requirement shaped the hull, so changing the engines alone would leave the basic design problem unresolved.

Alex rejects a machinery-only conversion of Freedom because the high-speed requirement shaped the hull itself. The redesign would have to go further than propulsion. The conversation briefly confuses the two LCS classes before distinguishing Freedom's monohull from Independence. The objection concerns the underlying hull, without a worked alternative design or cost comparison.