Competition Opens for Second Constellation-class Shipyard

According to a request for information (RFI) posted by NAVSEA and the FFG 62 Constellation Course Frigate Program Workplace (PMS 515), the united state Navy is formally looking for a 2nd shipyard for the FFG 62 program, including in the capability of Midwest-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine. A 2nd shipyard, according to the RFI, would certainly require to “show that they have the requisite centers, labor force, and abilities to carry out the job.”

Principal of Naval Procedures Adm. Mike Gilday and Assistant of the Navy Carlos Del Toro both thought about a 2nd shipyard as seriously essential in an Us senate Armed Providers Board hearing in 2015. Fincantieri Marinette Marine has actually additionally broadened job to 2 various other Fincantieri lawns in the area, Fincantieri: Sturgeon Bay, and Fincantieri ACE Marine.

Added capability at a 2nd shipyard would certainly permit the manufacturing of 4 Constellation-class FFGs annual, increasing the speed of Fincantieri Marinette Marine alone, a backyard that has actually encountered trouble in preserving and employing a labor force with the ability of performing FFG 62 distributions on time, while additionally stabilizing completion of Freedom-class manufacturing which the backyard has actually focused on for almost twenty years.

According to the RFI, PMS 515 particularly “looks for to determine competent united state surface area contender Shipbuilders as resources for future layout and/or follow-on building and construction of the Constellation Course Frigate”. This varies from product purchase to post-delivery shakedown test assistance.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine presently has actually 6 ships granted, FFG 62 via FFG 67. The current 2 ships were granted in mid-2024. The lead ship of the course, USS Constellation (FFG 62), was put down on April 12, 2024. Naval Terminal Everett, Everett, Washington, will certainly be the home of the initial twelve ships according to the U.S. Navy.

The united state Navy plans to area 20 Constellation-class FFGs originally, with the opportunity of added ships better in the future as the commercial base maintains, device rates reduce, and a 2nd shipyard starts manufacturing of the course.

Contributing To the united state Navy’s passion in a 2nd shipyard, Norway has expressed interest in procuring five or six Constellation-class frigates as a supplement and ultimate substitute for the Fridtjof Nansen-class. A 2nd frigate building and construction backyard would certainly boost the possibilities of the Constellation-class proposal in Norway as the Nordic nation is reported to need a fast shipment of the initial ship (2029 duration). Greece has actually additionally shared passion in co-producing the Constellation-class as a substitute and has signed a letter of interest in producing seven Constellation-class FFGs in Greece.

In spite of the passion by PMS 515, the ask for info sent does not ensure that a 2nd shipyard will certainly be chosen to start manufacturing of the Constellation-class. According to the RFI, “Participants will certainly not be informed of the outcomes of this notification. The info gotten from sent feedbacks might be utilized in advancement of a purchase method and a future solicitation.”

The message Competition Opens for Second Constellation-class Shipyard showed up initially on Naval News.