Constellation tried to combine three combat roles

Did adapting FREMM to American practices trigger Constellation's cascading design changes?

Clarke emphasizes manning and damage-control changes; Drachinifel identifies an additional problem in demanding several variants' combat capabilities from one hull.

Alex Clarke asks whether apparently cosmetic changes became extensive redesign as FREMM was adapted to American manning and damage-control practices. His concern is that crew-assistance equipment and established operating methods were being judged through a different national approach. Drachinifel's response emphasizes the load placed on the frigate's combat role. French and Italian FREMM variants accept exchanges between anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and other capabilities, while Constellation was expected to combine 32 Mark 41 cells, sixteen surface-missile canisters, RAM, and its ASW systems. Australia's larger general-purpose expectations are contrasted with a US fleet that already has numerous air-defence Burkes. The extra displacement estimated for such a combined fit is uncertain in the spoken exchange. The Sims-class destroyer comparison illustrates the danger of adding too much armament to a familiar-sized hull.