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Constellation-class frigate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An artist's rendering of the final Constellation-class design
Class overview
NameConstellation class
BuildersFincantieri Marinette Marine
Operators United States Navy (projected)
Preceded by
Cost
  • US$1.28 billion for the first ship[1]
  • US$1.05 billion for the second ship[1]
Built2024–present
In commission2029 (planned)[2]
Planned20[3]
On order2
Building2
Completed0
Cancelled18
Active0
General characteristics
Typeguided-missile frigate
Displacement7,291 tons, fully loaded[4]
Length496 ft (151.18 m)[4]
Beam65 ft (19.81 m)[4]
Propulsion
  • CODLAG
    • 1 × General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine[5]
    • 2 × electric propulsion motors: INDAR 2 x 3.4 MW
    • 4 × ship service diesel generators Rolls-Royce MTU 20V 4000 M53B engine 3000 kW for a total output of 12 MW
    • Reduction gears by Philadelphia Gears[6]
    • 2 x fixed-pitch propellers
    • 1 × auxiliary propulsion unit Thrustmasters of Texas Hydrologic Retractable Thruster[4]
Speedin excess of 26 kn (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph), electric drive
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × rigid-hulled inflatable boats
Capacity200 accommodations
Complement24 officers and 176 enlisted crew
Sensors &
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopter
Aviation facilities
  • extra-large hangar for helicopter
  • RAST Secure & Traverse Aircraft Handling System
  • Horizontal Reference System
  • Night Vision Device Compatibility

The Constellation is a class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates of the United States Navy based on the Italian Navy's version of the European multipurpose frigate or FREMM.[15] Constellation follows the modular but troubled littoral combat ships of the Freedom and Independence classes.[16] The U.S. Navy announced the FFG(X) frigate project in the United States Department of Defense's Request For Information (RFI) in July 2017.[14][17]

The Navy selected five shipbuilders to present their design concepts for a prospective class of up to twenty FFG(X) guided-missile frigates.[3] In April 2020, the Navy announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine had won the contract with a modified design based on the Italian version of FREMM designed by Fincantieri. The project was later renamed FFG-62 program after the lead ship of her class.[18] The program was cancelled in November 2025, with only the first two ships already under construction to be finished and remaining four on order cancelled.[19]

Development

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The U.S. Navy contracted for the first FFG 62 in FY2020.[20] The second ship contract was awarded in April 2021, and the third in FY22. The U.S. Navy's proposed FY2020 budget request was $1.281-billion for the procurement of the first FFG 62. The U.S. Navy's FY2020 budget submission shows that subsequent ships in the class were estimated by the Navy to cost $850 to $950-million each in then-year dollars.[21][4]

Design

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The proposed government furnished equipment for the FFG(X)

The U.S. Navy's intention to contract for the first FFG(X) in 2020 did not allow enough time to develop a completely new design for the platform. Consequently, the U.S. Navy intended for the design of the FFG(X) to be a modified version of an existing "parent" ship design.[16]: 8  The RFI says, "A competition for FFG(X) is envisioned to consider existing parent designs for a Small Surface Combatant that can be modified to accommodate the specific capability requirements prescribed by the U.S. Navy."[14]

The U.S. Navy wanted a frigate that could keep up with the aircraft carriers and have sensors networked in with the rest of the fleet to expand the overall tactical picture available to the group. It was planned in 2017 that the FFG(X) would "normally aggregate into strike groups and Large Surface Combatant led surface action groups but also possess the ability to robustly defend itself during conduct of independent operations while connected and contributing to the fleet tactical grid."[14]

In January 2019, the U.S. Navy announced that the new frigate design would have a minimum of 32 Mark 41 Vertical Launch System cells aboard the ship for primarily anti-air warfare for self-defense or escort missions.[22]

The U.S. Navy would like for the ship to be able to:[14]

  • Destroy surface ships over the horizon,
  • Detect enemy submarines,
  • Defend convoy ships,
  • Employ active and passive electronic warfare systems,
  • Defend against swarming small boat attacks.

The class was to have used a Combined Diesel Electric and Gas Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) propulsion system, which had never been used in any other U.S. Navy ship.[23] The new propulsion system was planned to be tested on land in order to reduce the risk of engine failure, which has plagued the previous littoral combat ship (LCS) program.[23]

The ongoing difficulties with the LCS were a major factor in the US Navy's original decision to kickstart the Constellation program. According to the Congressional Research Service, ongoing concerns include LCS survivability in a conflict, their limited armament, and their ability to complete the missions they were designed for.[24] Other problems included their high cost (double original projection) and high maintenance costs.[25]

Contenders

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Six shipbuilders submitted proposals for conceptual designs to the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate program.[7][26] In February 2018, the U.S. Navy announced that from these proposals they had selected five shipbuilders with each awarded a $15-million contract to produce conceptual designs for the FFG(X).[3] These shipbuilders were Austal USA, Fincantieri Marine Group, General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Lockheed Martin.[3]

Atlas North America submitted the MEKO A-200, but was not selected for a conceptual design contract.[7][3] Ship designs from the other five shipbuilders were evaluated by the U.S. Navy to inform the final specifications to be used for the FFG(X) request for proposal in 2019, and the intended contract award in 2020.[3]

In May 2019, Lockheed Martin withdrew from the competition,[27] leaving four competitors for the Navy ship contract.

Shipbuilder Parent Design Proposal Name Length (m) Crew Contract Awarded
Austal USA Independence-class LCS[7] "Austal Frigate"[7] 127.7[7] to 130[7] Design[7]
Fincantieri Marine Group European multipurpose frigate (FREMM)[7] FREMM 143.8[7] 133[7] Detail Design and Construction (DD&C)[28]
General Dynamics / Bath Iron Works Álvaro de Bazán-class Spanish frigate[7] "F100"[7] 146.7[7] to 234[7] Design[7]
Huntington Ingalls Industries Legend-class National Security Cutter[7] "Patrol Frigate"[7] 127.4[7] Unspecified[7] Design[7]
Lockheed Martin Freedom-class LCS[7] "Freedom Frigate"[7] 125[7] 130[7] Design[7] (company withdrew in 2019)[27]
Atlas North America MEKO A-200[7] MEKO A-200 121[7] 100-120[7] None

Contract award

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On 30 April 2020, it was announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine's FREMM design had won the contest. Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), in Marinette, Wisconsin, was awarded a $795-million contract for detailed design and construction of the lead ship, Constellation, with options for nine additional ships.[29] In May 2021, the U.S. Navy issued FMM a $554-million contract to start building the future USS Congress (FFG-63).[20] By May 2024, a total of six ships had been contracted for with FMM,[30] and the Navy's 2025 budget included funds for the seventh ship.[31]

Construction

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On 2 April 2024, USNI News reported that the Constellation-class frigates were delayed by three years by issues concerning shipyard backlogs and a lack of skilled workers.[32] A year later, in April 2025, it was reported that the first frigate of the class, Constellation, was only 10 percent complete.[33] Furthermore, the design had yet to be finalized and approved.[33]

On 25 November 2025, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced that all but the first two ships in the class had been canceled as part of a Navy review of its fleet strategy, with an emphasis on designs that can be constructed more rapidly.[19] At the time, Constellation was reported to be 12 percent complete.[19]

Ships of the class

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Name Hull Number Builder Laid Down Launched Commissioned Homeport[34] Status
Constellation FFG-62 Fincantieri Marinette Marine 12 April 2024 NS Everett, WA Under construction[35]
Congress FFG-63 NS Everett, WA Awarded[36][37][20]
Chesapeake FFG-64 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]
Lafayette FFG-65 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]
Hamilton FFG-66 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]
Galvez FFG-67 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]
Everett Alvarez Jr. FFG-68 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]
Joy Bright Hancock FFG-69 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[38]

In June 2021, the Navy announced that Naval Station Everett in Washington would be the future home of the first 12 ships of the class.[34]

Naming

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In April 2020, four ship names were proposed by outgoing acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly as part of a draft announcement. He expressed a desire for the first ship to be named Agility with the class designated Agility class.[citation needed] Other names put forward were Intrepid, Endeavor, and Dauntless. However, Navy leaders said Modly's proposed names would not be adopted.[39] In July 2020, it was reported by The War Zone that the lead ship would be named USS Brooke (FFG-80).[40] Later the U.S. Navy clarified via Twitter that reports about reusing the USS Brooke name for a new warship were erroneous.[41]

In October 2020, Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite announced the first FFG(X) frigate would be named USS Constellation (FFG-62).[42] In December 2020, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the second ship of the class will be named USS Congress (FFG-63).[36][43] In January 2021, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the third ship of the class will be named USS Chesapeake (FFG-64). All three ships are named after three of the U.S. Navy's original six frigates.[44]

United States ship naming conventions have historically named frigates after U.S. Navy and Marine Corps heroes or leaders. A report to Congress in February 2021 advised that the U.S. Navy had not stated that this naming scheme was a change in their rules for naming ships.[45]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)" summary. USNI, 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ Shelbourne, Mallory (April 2, 2024). "Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy". USNI News. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f LaGrone, Sam; Eckstein, Megan (February 16, 2018). "Navy Picks Five Contenders for Next Generation Frigate FFG(X) Program". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Larter, David (January 12, 2021). "Here's the latest on the US Navy's new Constellation-class frigate". Breaking Defense. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. ^ [1] GE, The LM2500+G4 Engine
  6. ^ "Timken's Philadelphia Gear to Supply Critical Components for U.S. Navy Frigate Program".
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Vavasseur, Xavier, ed. (January 18, 2018). "SNA 2018: Contenders for the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate Program". Navy Recognition. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  8. ^ O'Rourke, Ronald. "Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. p. 15. R44972. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Campbell, Regan (January 15, 2019). "FFG(X) Update: National Symposium – Surface Navy Association" (PDF). navsea.navy.mil. p. 3. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Burgess, Richard R. (August 31, 2022). "First Steel Cut for Navy's Constellation-Class Frigate". Seapower. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "FY22 DOT&E Annual Report" (PDF). Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. p. 186. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "Navy Completes Lightweight Torpedo Defense Mission Module Testing". navy.mil. May 4, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "Text - H.R.7776 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". December 23, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e Larter, David B. (July 10, 2017). "Frigate competition wide open: Navy specs reveal major design shift". Defense News. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  15. ^ "Constellation-class: the US Navy's struggle to forge a new generation of frigates". Navy Lookout. September 4, 2024.
  16. ^ a b O'Rourke, Ronald (December 8, 2017). "Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  17. ^ Eckstein, Megan (July 10, 2017). "Navy Releases Details of New FFG(X) Guided-Missile Frigate Program in Request to Industry". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  18. ^ "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)". USNI News. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c LaGrone, Sam (November 25, 2025). "Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program". USNI News. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c "Navy Issues $554M Contract Modification for Second Navy Frigate". USNI News. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  21. ^ "Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Frigate FFG(X) Program". USNI News. October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  22. ^ LaGrone, Sam (January 22, 2019). "Navy Squeezing Costs Out of FFG(X) Program as Requirements Solidify". USNI News. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  23. ^ a b Larter, David B. (December 6, 2020). "Citing littoral combat ship failures, Congress pushes the US Navy to get FFG(X) right". Defense News. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  24. ^ Thomas, Richard (January 24, 2023). "Was the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship a mistake?". Naval Technology. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs". The New York Times. February 4, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  26. ^ "Contracts" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. February 16, 2018. CR-032-18. Archived from the original on June 8, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018. ...six offers received.
  27. ^ a b LaGrone, Sam (May 28, 2019). "Lockheed Martin Won't Submit Freedom LCS Design for FFG(X) Contest". USNI News. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  28. ^ "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)". USNI News. July 15, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  29. ^ Eckstein, Megan (April 30, 2020). "Fincantieri Wins $795M Contract for Navy Frigate Program". USNI News. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  30. ^ "Fincantieri Awarded Fifth and Sixth Constellation-class Frigates for U.S. Navy". Naval News. May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  31. ^ Congressional Research Service (November 26, 2024). "Report to Congress on Navy Constellation-class Frigate Program". USNI News. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  32. ^ Shelbourne, Mallory; LaGrone, Sam (April 2, 2024). "Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy". USNI News. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Joseph Trevithick (April 10, 2025). "First Constellation Frigate Only 10% Complete, Design Still Being Finalized". The War Zone.
  34. ^ a b Correll, Diana (June 3, 2021). "Naval Station Everett selected as homeport for Constellation-class frigates". Navy Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  35. ^ "SECNAV Del Toro Celebrates the Keel Laying of the Future USS Constellation (FFG 62)" (Press release). United States Navy. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Congress" (Press release). United States Navy. December 4, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  37. ^ Harkins, Gina (December 3, 2020). "The Navy is Naming its Next New Frigate USS Congress". Military.com. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  38. ^ a b c d e f LaGrone, Sam (November 25, 2025). "Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program". USNI News. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  39. ^ Werner, Ben (April 8, 2020). "Navy Leaders Sink Ship Names Proposed in SECNAV Modly's Last Days". USNI News. United States Naval Institute. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  40. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (July 17, 2020). "Pentagon Notice Says The First Of The Navy's New Frigates Will Be Named USS Brooke". The War Zone. The Drive. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  41. ^ "No, the US Navy will not name first of new class of frigates USS Brooke". Defense Brief. July 18, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  42. ^ Eckstein, Megan (October 7, 2020). "SECNAV Braithwaite Names First FFG(X) USS Constellation". USNI News. United States Naval Institute. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  43. ^ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (December 2, 2020). "Navy bringing back U.S. Atlantic Fleet". Navy Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  44. ^ "SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship" (Press release). United States Navy. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  45. ^ "Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress". Congressional Research Service. February 4, 2021. RS22478.

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