#ffg(x)

Introducing....

     ....the USS Constellation (FFG 62)-class guided-missile frigate....

          .....with up to 20 versatile warships planned....

               .....by the United States Navy and Congress....

The USS Constellation (FFG-62)-class frigate program, previously known as the FFG(X) program, is a Navy initiative to build a class of 20 guided-missile frigates (FFGs).

The United States Congress funded the procurement of the first FFG-62 class ship in FY2020 at a cost of $1.3 billion. The Navy’s proposed FY2021 budget requests $1.1 billion for the procurement of the second FFG-62 class ship. The Navy estimates that subsequent ships in the class will cost roughly $940 million each.

The versatile frigates will be able to operate independently or as part of an aircraft carrier strike group. It’s a multi-mission small surface combatant designed to conduct anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and electromagnetic warfare (EMW) operations.

The ships are expected to begin entering the active Fleet in the late 2020s....and throughout the 2030s. These small, but very capable, warships will fill an important gap as the somewhat star-crossed Independence-class and Freedom-class littoral combat ships are phased out from Fleet service.

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Why did the US Navy choose Fincantieri’s FREMM-based frigates instead of a US shipbuilding company?

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Fincantieri U.S. subsidiary, Marinette Marine (FMM), a nearly 800 million dollar contract for the concept design and construction of the first-in-class guided-missile frigate of the “FFG(X)” program for the U.S. Navy last week.

The contract envisages an option for 9 additional ships, as well as post-delivery availability support and crew training, with…

Fincantieri Wins Contract for FFG(X) Frigate Program of the U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy awarded a $795-million contract to design and produce the next generation small surface combatant, the Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) on 30th April, the U.S. Navy has announced via official website. The contract for detail design and construction (DD&C) of up to 10 Guided Missile Frigates (consisting of one base ship and nine option ships) was awarded to Fincantieri Marinette…

#Fincantieri Awarded $795 Million Contract for #USNavy FFG(X) Guided-Missile Frigate Program. #FFGX

Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) has been awarded a $795 million contract for detail design and construction (DD&C) of the FFG(X) class of guided-missile frigates.

The contract with options will provide for the delivery of up to 10 FFG(X) ships (consisting of one base ship and nine option ships), post-delivery availability support, engineering and class services, crew…

U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate Program: Detailed Look on Four Competing Designs. #USNavy #FFGX

The U.S. Navy’s FFG(X) frigate program seeks to procure a new class of guided-missile frigates (FFGs) as a follow-on to the service’s modular Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).

According to a Breaking Defense report, the Navy is planning to award the first FFG(X) contract in the coming days.

The Navy plans to initially procure 10 FFG(X) frigates and then release another solicitation for 10 additional…

#USNavy to Award FFG(X) Frigate Contract in Coming Days: Report. #FFGX

The U.S.Navy is planning to award the first contract for its FG(X) next-generation frigate program in the coming days, Breaking Defense reported citing several sources with knowledge of the plan.

“After the first award for ten ships, the Navy will launch a new competition for the next ten, possibly splitting the class and giving other shipbuilders another bite at the apple”, added the report.

In…

U.S. Navy to Award Contract for FFG(X) Frigate Program Within Few Months. #FFGX #USNavy

The contract for the U.S. Navy’s FFG(X) next-generation frigate program could be awarded within the next few months sooner than expected, DefenseNews reported citing Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly.

According to the report, Thomas Modly told conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt that he had tasked Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition James…

Classic new frigates….

The United States Navy has awarded contracts to five different companies for conceptual designs for the FFG(X) program....the next generation of multi-mission guided-missile frigates.

Drawing on lessons learned from current and previous ship designs....and incorporating expected evolving missions and technologies in the decades ahead....industry experts are now teaming with military experts to produce a cost-effective, mission-effective, sustainability-effective warship design.

                   FFG(X) design concept from General Dynamics

Shipbuilders Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, Austal USA, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri are all participating in the project.

Pictured at the top of this post is Lockheed-Martin’s concept for the new class of 20+ warships expected to serve the Fleet through mid-century and beyond.

Contracts for actual construction of the first batch of ships should be awarded in 2020.

                           FFG(X) design concept from Austal USA

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(As a retired Navy ship-driver, I already want one! Love these greyhounds of the seas!)

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