Modernized Perrys as a frigate benchmark

In this scenario, Burkes remain the large combatant and Perrys the smaller supporting combatant, with both families still in production. Those established lines could allow experimental programs such as LCS and Zumwalt to take risks while dependable ships continued to enter service. A modernized Perry carrying about half a Burke's VLS cells would also give the next frigate a concrete baseline. Planners could ask how much missile capacity and what sonar improvements a replacement actually needed. An in-service predecessor would make those comparisons easier to define.