Should the United States use Constellation or Type 26 for global presence and ASW, with Zumwalt as an air-defense cruiser?
Short answerA tiered fleet would provide frigates for forward presence and larger combatants for successive steps in escalation, although the specific pairing proposed is not endorsed.
NotesThe Arleigh Burke class provided a common answer when American forward presence often meant sending one capable ship. Graduated presence requires several levels of capability so a navy can increase its commitment visibly. Constellation-class frigates would provide the lower level, with a Burke or its successor available when stronger forces are required. A further level above the destroyer would offer another step in escalation. This argument supports a tiered fleet without endorsing the exact Constellation-or-Type-26 and Zumwalt pairing in the question.