Rolls-Royce to design and manufacture propellers for the US Navy
Rolls-Royce is designing and manufacturing propellers for the US Navy’s Constellation-class (FFG-62) frigates. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
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
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
-
US Navy foresees additional delays in the Columbia-class programme
After estimating that the first Columbia-class submarine would be delivered 16 months late, the US Navy has recently confirmed that an additional month will be required to complete its construction.