Rolls-Royce to design and manufacture propellers for the US Navy
Rolls-Royce has agreed with Fincantieri Marinette Marine to design and produce up to 40 fixed-pitch propellers for installation on the USN’s Constellation-class (FFG-62) guided-missile frigates.
Fincantieri was awarded the contract from the US DoD in April 2020 to design and build the first FFG-62 frigate. The contract is for a total of 20 ships and the first is planned to be delivered in 2026.
The propellers will be manufactured in Rolls-Royce’s new foundry in Pascagoula, Mississippi, which was funded through investments from the DoD.
The Pascagoula Foundry is one of two facilities in the US qualified to produce propellers of this size for the USN.
Rolls-Royce has built a reputation for supplying naval assets to the USN, with 95% of the commissioned USN surface fleet being equipped with its propellers.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Constellation class will replace Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates and are intended to conduct a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic manoeuvre warfare and anti-air warfare.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Constellation Class - FFG(X) (1-10)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Kongsberg awarded $960 million missile contract
The contract could rise to as much as US$1.1 billion and follows an announcement last month that Kongsberg was building a missile production facility in the US to meet burgeoning global demand.
-
New US Navy batteries are deemed submarine-safe
The use of Passive Propagation Technology significantly reduces the risk of Lithium-ion batteries for use in torpedo tube launched AUVs.
-
Japan introduces new landing craft classes to transport army equipment
Japan’s new Nihonbare-class landing craft has highlighted Tokyo’s strategic moves to secure its archipelagic regions. Their introduction could be of interest to Australia as it develops its own amphibious capabilities.