There’s a lot that goes into having a capable navy – but being able to design and build quality warships usually helps.Since the end of the Cold War the U.S. has been able to design and introduce a range of new designs including a new supercarrier and the Virginia class submarine.But attempts to build new surface combatants have struggled. Zumwalt, LCS…and now the Constellation class Frigate.Now announced as cancelled, Constellation (FFG-62) was meant to be a safer option, based on a proven parent design and critical to future US shipbuilding plans.So today, we ask why the U.S. turned to a Frigate program, how it fit into the struggle to modernise the post cold war fleet, and what the end of the program might mean for the USN.