The Perry carried Standard missiles with SPS-49 radar and a Mark 92 fire-control system, a simpler arrangement than the proposed Aegis-family fit. SM-2 offered a useful capability once SM-1 was no longer available, though the scale of the associated systems remained open to question. FFG(X) was also expected to deploy unmanned systems into contested environments to gain sensor and weapons advantages. The comparison treats this as the LCS combination of missions in reverse: conventional frigate work had been attached to a specialized littoral ship, while littoral duties were now being attached to a frigate. The argument is that each mission set imposes costs on a hull already carrying the requirements of the other.
Chapter · 20:22-23:04
FFG(X) reverses the LCS mission graft
Where LCS had frigate duties added to a littoral ship, FFG(X) added littoral penetration and unmanned-system duties to a frigate.