Why relabeling Legend as a destroyer escort may backfire

Will reclassifying the Legend class as destroyer escorts help the ships arrive on budget?

No; the label may expose them to more demanding destroyer comparisons without solving the underlying procurement problem.

The new label is likely to raise expectations because evaluators will compare the ships with Arleigh Burke-class standards. It does nothing by itself to solve cost or schedule problems. The Constellation program demonstrates how destroyer-like requirements can burden a supposedly cheaper combatant.