USN orders second Constellation-class frigate

Fincantieri subsidiary Marinette Marine has been awarded a $553.89 million contract modification by US Naval Sea Systems Command to design and build the second Constellation-class (FFG-62) guided-missile frigate.

Construction of the future USS Congress is scheduled for completion in January 2027, according to a 20 May announcement from the DoD.

Marinette Marine is already working on the detailed design phase of the first-in-class USS Constellation. Construction of that vessel is expected to start in late 2021 with delivery earmarked for 2026.

The USN initially ordered ten Constellation-class frigates in 2020. The construction work plus post-delivery availability support and crew training is worth $5.5 billion to Fincantieri.

The USN plans a follow-on order for 10 additional Constellation-class vessels.

Although the design of the new frigates is based on the Italian FREMM, it includes a significant amount of US content. Shephard Defence Insight notes that the future USS Constellation will contain more than 96% US content by value, for example.

Related Programmes in Defence Insight

Constellation Class - FFG(X) (1-10)

Related Equipment in Defence Insight

Constellation Class FFG(X)