Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:15-30:48

Why Type 31 did not fit the US frigate competition

The competition rules, not a generic design ranking, explain why Constellation was the realistic US Navy choice.

Constellation Class FrigatesNaval ProcurementType 26 FrigateType 31 FrigateUS Navy
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Question

Should the United States have based its new frigate on Type 31?

Short answer

No; the stated competition criteria made Constellation the realistic option, while Type 26 was not yet in the water and Type 31 did not fit the requirement.

Notes

The relevant comparison was between the Constellation design and Type 26 rather than Type 31. The US requirement favored a design already in the water, which excluded Type 26 at that moment. Type 31 did not fit the requirement. Constellation was therefore the only realistic option under the stated criteria.