During the past few weeks, local media outlets have been reporting on various delays in some of the United States Navy’s major shipbuilding programs. One of the latest reports indicates that the delivery of the first Constellation-class missile frigate would be delayed by three years. The news was disclosed by naval authorities during a press conference.
In 2020, the United States Navy selected Fincantieri as the winner of its FFG(X) Guided-missile Frigates program. These new ships are based on the design of the FREMM frigates used by the French National Navy and the Italian Navy. The first unit of the class, USS Constellation (FFG-62), began its construction in September 2022, with the cutting of the first steel plate, confirming its delivery was scheduled for 2026.
However, as reported earlier this year, a series of issues related to the shipyard caused the delivery date to be extended to 2027. Among the recorded problems is the difficulty in hiring new workers in key areas of the construction project at the Marinette Marine shipyard.
These issues have been compounded by various delays in the critical design review of the new frigates. This information was disclosed by Vice Admiral James Downey, head of the Naval Sea Systems Command, who stated during a press conference that a milestone in the program’s development had not been completed.
In more detail, he indicated: “Part of the contractual role mix has changed between primary and secondary“. Adding, “And completing the design has been critical for us. That’s why we’ve located Fincantieri’s design force and its subsidiary with the government at a collaboration center there to finish”.
Although further details were not provided, the completion of the critical design review is expected to take place during the current year. It is noteworthy that the Constellation frigates maintain 85% of the original design of their European counterparts, while the remaining 15% had to be redesigned to meet the operational requirements of the United States Navy.
Finally, based on the latest estimates released by Fincantieri, which currently holds the awarded contract for the construction of the first four units, the delivery date of the first frigate, the USS Constellation (FFG-62), would not take place until 2029.
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