Constellation class approaching design maturity, while initial vessel delay reaches three-year mark
Artist’s impression of the Constellation class frigate. (Image: US DoD)
The US Navy is looking for a second shipyard to build frigates at speed.
The US Navy’s (USN’s) significantly delayed Constellation-class frigate could be ready to begin continuous production by May 2025, according to the USN’s assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition, Nickolas Guertin.
Earlier in 2024, the Navy acknowledged that the frigate was suffering from significant production delays. Originally scheduled to start delivery by 2026, Fincantieri Marinette Marine said it was unlikely to deliver the first ship in the class, the USS Constellation (FFG-62) for another three years.
But Guertin revealed in December that the design phase was almost mature, and that such maturity would allow the potential use of a second shipyard to build hulls at speed while the original Constellation was being constructed.
Related Articles
US Navy commissions third Constellation-class frigate
Marinette Marine contracted for two more Constellation frigates
Some of the delays in getting the Constellation on the water were down to design issues, Guertin said.
The ship was to be based on the existing FREMM design used by the French and Italian navies, but it required significant amendment to meet USN standards for survivability.
That in turn threw out the weight ratios of the vessel, resulting in long delays in getting the design matured enough for mass production.
As reported by USNI News, Fincantieri Marinette Marine CEO Mark Vandroff told a Naval Institute defence forum event in Washington that both the Navy and the shipyard had underestimated the task of altering the FREMM design for USN standards.
“With the frigate what you have is the contractor responsible for the functional design but the government has to approve every artifact,” Vandroff said.
Meanwhile, the quest for an additional shipyard for the Constellation-class frigates has begun. On 15 November 2024, the USN issued a request for information as to which shipyards had the capacity to build the frigates.
Six manufacturers are believed to have responded to the request, though it is expected to be 2027 before any second yard is ready to work on the project.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Constellation Class - FFG (1-2) [USN]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare]()
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
![Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs]()
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
