Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:10:40-2:11:17

Constellation frigates cover the Legend cutter role better than the reverse

Transferring Legend-class cutters would create a second, less capable frigate-like type when the US Navy chiefly needs enough Constellation-class ships.

Constellation Class FrigatesLegend Class CuttersNaval ProcurementUS Coast GuardUS Navy
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Question

Should Legend-class Coast Guard cutters become interim US Navy presence ships while Constellation-class frigates are built?

Short answer

No; the Navy chiefly needs enough Constellations, because the frigate can cover cutter missions better than a Legend can cover frigate missions.

Notes

Converting the Legend cutter into another naval class would be a poor solution to the interim presence gap. The Constellation design can perform most cutter presence work while also covering combat missions beyond the Legend's capability. The reverse overlap is much smaller. Greater production of the more capable frigate offers more value than maintaining two partly overlapping fleets.