Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and the US Navy have reached an agreement that provides for reshaping the future of the Constellation-class frigate program, resulting in the cancellation of four follow-on ships.
As disclosed, in this framework, Fincantieri is consolidating its strategic partnership with the US Navy, as the firm pledges to help deliver new classes of vessels.
The agreement encompasses the continuity of work for two Constellation-class frigates currently under construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) in Wisconsin, while the construction for the four other Constellation-class frigates already under contract is cancelled.
According to Fincantieri, the decision reflects the evolving strategic priorities of the US Navy. The shipbuilder added that this new arrangement guarantees continuity and workload visibility for Fincantieri’s personnel and the Wisconsin System of Yards.
Furthermore, these investments have enabled the consolidation of an advanced industrial supply chain, capable of meeting the US Navy’s new priorities, including rapid delivery, modularity, and scalability of naval platforms.
Fincantieri expects to receive new orders to deliver classes of vessels in segments “that best serve the immediate interests of the nation and the renaissance of U.S. shipbuilding”, such as amphibious, icebreaking and other special missions. The company plans to support the US Navy, as it redefines strategic choices in the small surface combatants segment, manned or unmanned.
The Constellation-class (also previously known as the FFG(X) program) was conceived as the US Navy’s next-generation “small surface combatant”/frigate program. The aim was to build guided-missile frigates capable of multi-mission roles including air warfare, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface warfare, and electronic warfare.
The design was based on (but significantly modified from) an existing European frigate design produced by Fincantieri, specifically its FREMM class used by the Italian Navy. The original plan anticipated building a substantial number of frigates. Specifically, the program envisioned up to 20 ships in total to fulfil the navy’s long-term small surface combatant requirement. In May last year, Fincantieri received a contract worth over $1 billion to build the fifth and sixth Constellation-class frigates for the US Navy.
Earlier, in April 2024, the navy held a keel-laying ceremony for the first vessel in this class, USS Constellation (FFG 62).
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