If they don't figure out a way to reduce the wake there may not be any frigates (above water).

Which trends will dominate in 2025 - Will they be smaller faster/ bigger more powerful ??

Stealth ?? yes i think so ...but what else

will future frigates outclass rivals like LCS ???

Basically everything hinges around powertrain developments.  It effects persistence, projection, sensor sophistication, warfighting systems etc....  If skimmers are going to use LO tech, then they're passive, active ot both.  Passive has limitations (LaFayettes, or as Herald refers to them, "The Laugh it ups"  )  If the move is towards active systems (as it must to counter new generation anti shipping missiles etc...) then active systems become a secondary power consuming burden.

 

What's also interesting is the US consideration being regiven to nuke powered cruisers.  It evokes the memory of the Enterprise Longreach, Bainbridge, SSN's nuke strike force.

 

There's no reason why hybrid nuke/electric or the new gen HTS/SC engines don't take hold and become attractive due to advances in generation and storage technologies.

 

Everything depends on the impact of which juice gets used ....