USN orders second Constellation-class frigate
Marinette Marine will build the second Constellation-class guided-missile frigate for the USN
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
More from Naval Warfare
-
NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned
The vessels were first discussed a full ten years before the commissioning ceremony, and three more are due within the next three years.
-
Portuguese mothership of uncrewed vehicles locks in Cube ecosystem from SH Defence
The multi-purpose support ship being built by Damen for the Portuguese Navy has added a skidding system to its design to enhance its operational capabilities on launch.
-
Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats
A new deal with EM&E Group has added Sentinel 30 remote stations to the boats’ armament profile.
-
Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes
The new indigenously-built corvettes will replace Israel's Sa'ar 4.5 class which has been in service for four decades.
-
USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander
Adm Holsey also warned that were “zero Navy P-8 aircraft available due to being pulled to other theatres”.
-
Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile
The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.