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Constellation-class frigate

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U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate FFG(X) artist rendering, 30 April 2020 (200430-N-NO101-150)
An artist's rendering of the final Constellation-class design
Class overview
Name: Constellation class
Builders: Fincantieri Marinette Marine
Operators:  United States Navy (projected)
Preceded by:
Cost:
  • US$1.28 billion for the first ship[1]
  • US$1.05 billion for the second ship[1]
    • Built: 2024–present
    In commission: 2029 (planned)[2]
    Building: 1
    Planned: 20[3]
    General characteristics
    Type: guided-missile frigate
    Displacement: 7,291 tons, fully loaded[4]
    Length: 496 ft (151.18 m)[4]
    Beam: 65 ft (19.81 m)[4]
    Propulsion:
    • CODLAG
      • 1 × General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine[5]
      • 2 × electric propulsion motors: INDAR 2 x 3.4 MW
      • 4 × ship service diesel generators Rolls-Royce MTU 20V 4000 M53B engine 3000 kW for a total output of 12 MW
      • Reduction gears by Philadelphia Gears[6]
      • 2 x fixed-pitch propellers
      • 1 × auxiliary propulsion unit Thrustmasters of Texas Hydrologic Retractable Thruster[4]
    Speed: in excess of 26 kn (48 km/h; 30 mph)
    Range: 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph), electric drive
    Boats & landing
    craft carried:
    Capacity: 200 accommodations
    Complement: 24 officers and 176 enlisted crew
    Sensors and
    processing systems:
    Electronic warfare
    & decoys:
  • AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic warfare suite[11]
  • 4 × Mark 53 Nulka decoy launching system
  • AN/SLQ-61 Lightweight Tow Torpedo Defense Mission Module[9][12]
    • Armament:
  • 32 Mark 41 VLS cells with:
  • BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile[13]
  • Possibly RIM-162 ESSM Block 2 and/or RIM-174 Standard ERAM missiles
  • Planned RIM-66 Standard SM-2 Block 3C
  • 16 × canister-launched over-the-horizon anti-ship weapons (likely Naval Strike Missile)
  • RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launched from Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (21 cell)
  • Mk 110 57 mm gun with the Advanced Low Cost Munition Ordnance (ALaMO) projectile and related systems[14]
  • Various machine guns M240 or M2
    • Aircraft carried:
  • 1 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopter
    • Aviation facilities:
  • extra-large hangar for helicopter
  • RAST Secure & Traverse Aircraft Handling System
  • Horizontal Reference System
  • Night Vision Device Compatibility

    • The Constellation class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates is a United States Navy class of frigate based on the European FREMM multipurpose frigate, already in service with the Italian and French navies. Constellation follows the modular but problematic littoral combat ships of the Freedom and Independence classes.[15] The U.S. Navy announced the FFG(X) frigate project in the United States Department of Defense's Request For Information (RFI) in July 2017.[14][16]

    The Navy selected five shipbuilders to present their ideas for a prospective design for the proposed twenty FFG(X) guided-missile frigates.[3] In April 2020, the Navy announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine had won the contract with a modified design based on the FREMM, designed by Naval Group and Fincantieri. The project was later renamed FFG-62 program after the lead ship of her class.[17]

    Development[]

    The U.S. Navy procured the first FFG 62 in FY2020.[citation needed] The next was awarded in April 2021, and the third in FY22. The U.S. Navy's proposed FY2020 budget request was $1.281-billion for the procurement of the first FFG 62. The U.S. Navy's FY2020 budget submission shows that subsequent ships in the class are estimated by the Navy to cost $850 to $950-million each in then-year dollars.[18][4]

    Design[]

    The proposed government furnished equipment for the FFG(X)

    The proposed government furnished equipment for the FFG(X)

    The U.S. Navy's intention to buy the first FFG(X) in 2020 did not allow enough time to develop a completely new design for the platform. Consequently, the U.S. Navy intended for the design of the FFG(X) to be a modified version of an existing "parent" ship design.[15]:8 The RFI says, "A competition for FFG(X) is envisioned to consider existing parent designs for a Small Surface Combatant that can be modified to accommodate the specific capability requirements prescribed by the U.S. Navy."[14]

    The U.S. Navy wanted a frigate that could keep up with the aircraft carriers and have sensors networked in with the rest of the fleet to expand the overall tactical picture available to the group. "The FFG(X) will normally aggregate into strike groups and Large Surface Combatant led surface action groups but also possess the ability to robustly defend itself during conduct of independent operations while connected and contributing to the fleet tactical grid."[14]

    In January 2019, the U.S. Navy announced that the new frigate will have a minimum of 32 Mark 41 Vertical Launch System cells aboard the ship for primarily anti-air warfare for self-defense or escort missions.[19]

    The U.S. Navy would like for the ship to be able to:[citation needed]

    • Destroy surface ships over the horizon,
    • Detect enemy submarines,
    • Defend convoy ships,
    • Employ active and passive electronic warfare systems,
    • Defend against swarming small boat attacks.[14]

    The class will use a Combined Diesel Electric and Gas Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) propulsion system, which has never been used in any other U.S. Navy ship.[20] The new propulsion system will be required to be tested on land in order to reduce the risk of engine failure, which has plagued the previous littoral combat ship (LCS) program.[20]

    The ongoing difficulties with the LCS were a major factor in the US Navy's decision to kickstart the Constellation program. According to the Congressional Research Service, ongoing concerns include LCS survivability in a conflict, their limited armament, and their ability to complete the missions they were designed for.[21] Other problems include their high cost (double original projection), and maintenance costs.[22]

    Contenders[]

    Six shipbuilders submitted proposals for conceptual designs to the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate program.[7][23] In February 2018, the U.S. Navy announced that from these proposals they had selected five shipbuilders with each awarded a $15-million contract to produce conceptual designs for the FFG(X).[3] These shipbuilders were Austal USA, Fincantieri Marine Group, General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Lockheed Martin.[3]

    Atlas North America submitted the MEKO A-200, but was not selected for a conceptual design contract.[7][3] Ship designs from these five shipbuilders were evaluated by the U.S. Navy to inform the final specifications that would be used for the FFG(X) request for proposal in 2019, and the intended contract award in 2020.[3]

    In May 2019, Lockheed Martin withdrew from the competition.[24]

    Shipbuilder Parent Design Proposal Name Length (m) Crew Contract Awarded
    Austal USA Independence-class LCS[7] "Austal Frigate"[7] 127.7[7] to 130[7] Design[7]
    Fincantieri Marine Group European multipurpose frigate (FREMM)[7] FREMM 143.8[7] 133[7] Detail Design and Construction (DD&C)[25]
    General Dynamics / Bath Iron Works Álvaro de Bazán-class Spanish frigate[7] "F100"[7] 146.7[7] to 234[7] Design[7]
    Huntington Ingalls Industries Legend-class National Security Cutter[7] "Patrol Frigate"[7] 127.4[7] Unspecified[7] Design[7]
    Lockheed Martin Freedom-class LCS[7] "Freedom Frigate"[7] 125[7] 130[7] Design[7] (withdrawn)[24]
    Atlas North America MEKO A-200[7] MEKO A-200 121[7] 100-120[7] None

    Contract award[]

    On 30 April 2020, it was announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine's FREMM design had won the contest and was awarded a $795-million contract for detailed design and construction of the lead ship, with options for nine additional ships.[26] In May 2021, the U.S. Navy issued Fincantieri Marinette Marine a $554-million contract to start building the future USS Congress (FFG-63).[27]

    Construction[]

    On 2 April 2024, USNI News reported that the Constellation-class frigates were delayed by three years by issues concerning shipyard backlogs and a lack of skilled workers.[28] A year later, in April 2025, it was reported that the first frigate of the class, Constellation, was only 10 percent complete.[29] Furthermore, the design had yet to be finalized and approved.[29]

    On 25 November 2025, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced on X that the Navy is walking away from the Constellation-class frigate program to focus on new classes of warships the service can build faster. Construction on the first two ships is to continue but will be under review.[30]

    Ships of the class[]

    Name Hull Number Builder Laid Down Launched Commissioned Homeport[31] Status
    Constellation FFG-62 Fincantieri Marinette Marine 12 April 2024 NS Everett, WA Under construction[32]
    Congress FFG-63 NS Everett, WA Awarded[33][34][27]
    Chesapeake FFG-64 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]
    Lafayette FFG-65 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]
    Hamilton FFG-66 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]
    Galvez FFG-67 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]
    Everett Alvarez Jr. FFG-68 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]
    Joy Bright Hancock FFG-69 NS Everett, WA Cancelled[35]

    In June 2021, the Navy announced that Naval Station Everett in Washington would be the future home of the first 12 ships of the class.[31]

    Naming[]

    In April 2020, four ship names were proposed by outgoing acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly as part of a draft announcement. He expressed a desire for the first ship to be named Agility with the class designated Agility class.[citation needed] Other names put forward were Intrepid, Endeavor, and Dauntless. However, Navy leaders said Modly's proposed names would not be adopted.[36] In July 2020, it was reported by The War Zone that the lead ship would be named USS Brooke (FFG-80).[37] Later the U.S. Navy clarified via Twitter that reports about reusing the USS Brooke name for a new warship were erroneous.[38]

    In October 2020, Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite announced the first FFG(X) frigate would be named USS Constellation (FFG-62).[39] In December 2020, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the second ship of the class will be named USS Congress (FFG-63).[33][40] In January 2021, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the third ship of the class will be named USS Chesapeake (FFG-64). All three ships are named after three of the U.S. Navy's original six frigates.[41]

    United States ship naming conventions have historically named frigates after U.S. Navy and Marine Corps heroes or leaders. A report to Congress in February 2021 advised that the U.S. Navy had not stated that this naming scheme was a change in their rules for naming ships.[42]

    References[]

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)" summary. USNI, 1 February 2022.
    2. ↑ Shelbourne, Mallory. "Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy". USNI News. https://news.usni.org/2024/04/02/constellation-frigate-delivery-delayed-3-years-says-navy. 
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 LaGrone, Sam; Eckstein, Megan (16 February 2018). "Navy Picks Five Contenders for Next Generation Frigate FFG(X) Program". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. https://news.usni.org/2018/02/16/navy-picks-five-contenders-next-generation-frigate-ffgxprogram. 
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Larter, David (12 January 2021). "Here's the latest on the US Navy's new Constellation-class frigate". Breaking Defense. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/surface-navy-association/2021/01/12/heres-the-latest-on-the-us-navys-new-constellation-class-frigate. 
    5. ↑ [1] GE, The LM2500+G4 Engine
    6. ↑ https://news.timken.com/2020-10-21-Timkens-Philadelphia-Gear-to-Supply-Critical-Components-for-U-S-Navy-Frigate-Program
    7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 Vavasseur, Xavier, ed (18 January 2018). "SNA 2018: Contenders for the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate Program". Navy Recognition. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/sna-2018/5867-sna-2018-contenders-for-the-u-s-navy-ffg-x-frigate-program.html. 
    8. ↑ O'Rourke, Ronald. "Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress". Congressional Research Service. p. 15. R44972. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R44972.pdf. 
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Campbell, Regan (15 January 2019). "FFG(X) Update: National Symposium – Surface Navy Association". p. 3. https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/Exhibits/SNA2019/FFGX-Campbell.pdf?ver=2019-01-17-125642-573. 
    10. ↑ Burgess, Richard R. (31 August 2022). "First Steel Cut for Navy's Constellation-Class Frigate". https://seapowermagazine.org/first-steel-cut-for-navys-constellation-class-frigate/. 
    11. ↑ "FY22 DOT&E Annual Report". Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. p. 186. https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2022/FY22DOTEAnnualReport.pdf. 
    12. ↑ "Navy Completes Lightweight Torpedo Defense Mission Module Testing". 4 May 2018. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2249361/navy-completes-lightweight-torpedo-defense-mission-module-testing/. 
    13. ↑ "Text - H.R.7776 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7776/text. 
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Larter, David B. (10 July 2017). "Frigate competition wide open: Navy specs reveal major design shift". Defense News. Sightline Media Group. https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2017/07/10/frigate-competition-wide-open-navy-specs-reveal-major-design-shift/. 
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 O'Rourke, Ronald (8 December 2017). "Navy Frigate (FFG[X) Program: Background and Issues for Congress"]. Congressional Research Service. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/R44972.pdf. 
    16. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (10 July 2017). "Navy Releases Details of New FFG(X) Guided-Missile Frigate Program in Request to Industry". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. https://news.usni.org/2017/07/10/navy-releases-details-of-new-ffgx-guided-missile-frigate-program-in-request-to-industry. 
    17. ↑ "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)" (in en-US). 2021-08-31. https://news.usni.org/2021/08/31/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-6. 
    18. ↑ "Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Frigate FFG(X) Program" (in en-US). 2019-10-18. https://news.usni.org/2019/10/18/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-frigate-ffgx-program-5. 
    19. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (2019-01-22). "Navy Squeezing Costs Out of FFG(X) Program as Requirements Solidify" (in en-US). https://news.usni.org/2019/01/22/navy-squeezing-costs-ffgx-program-requirements-solidify. 
    20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Larter, David B. (2020-12-06). "Citing littoral combat ship failures, Congress pushes the US Navy to get FFG(X) right" (in en-US). https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/12/04/citing-littoral-combat-ship-failures-congress-pushes-the-us-navy-to-get-ffgx-right/. 
    21. ↑ Thomas, Richard (2023-01-24). "Was the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship a mistake?" (in en-US). https://www.naval-technology.com/features/was-the-us-navys-littoral-combat-ship-a-mistake/. 
    22. ↑ "The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs." (in en-US). The New York Times. 2023-02-04. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/us/politics/littoral-combat-ships-lobbying.html. 
    23. ↑ "Contracts". U.S. Department of Defense. 16 February 2018. CR-032-18. https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/1444724/. ""…six offers received."" 
    24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 LaGrone, Sam (28 May 2019). "Lockheed Martin Won't Submit Freedom LCS Design for FFG(X) Contest". USNI News. https://news.usni.org/2019/05/28/lockheed-martin-wont-submit-freedom-lcs-design-for-ffgx-contest. 
    25. ↑ "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)" (in en-US). 2022-07-15. https://news.usni.org/2022/07/15/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-11. 
    26. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (30 April 2020). "Fincantieri Wins $795M Contract for Navy Frigate Program". USNI News. https://news.usni.org/2020/04/30/fincantieri-wins-795m-contract-for-navy-frigate-program. 
    27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Navy Issues $554M Contract Modification for Second Navy Frigate" (in en-US). 2021-05-20. https://news.usni.org/2021/05/20/navy-issues-554m-contract-modification-for-second-navy-frigate. 
    28. ↑ Shelbourne, Mallory; LaGrone, Sam (April 2, 2024). "Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy". https://news.usni.org/2024/04/02/constellation-frigate-delivery-delayed-3-years-says-navy. 
    29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Joseph Trevithick (10 April 2025). "First Constellation Frigate Only 10% Complete, Design Still Being Finalized". https://www.twz.com/sea/first-constellation-frigate-only-10-complete-design-still-being-finalized. 
    30. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (2025-11-25). "Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program" (in en-US). https://news.usni.org/2025/11/25/navy-cancels-constellation-class-frigate-program-considering-new-small-surface-combatants. 
    31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Correll, Diana (3 June 2021). "Naval Station Everett selected as homeport for Constellation-class frigates". Navy Times. Sightline Media Group. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/06/03/naval-station-everett-selected-as-homeport-for-constellation-class-frigates/. 
    32. ↑ "SECNAV Del Toro Celebrates the Keel Laying of the Future USS Constellation (FFG 62)". United States Navy. 12 April 2024. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3740071/secnav-del-toro-celebrates-the-keel-laying-of-the-future-uss-constellation-ffg/. 
    33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Congress". United States Navy. 4 December 2020. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2435589/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-congress/. 
    34. ↑ Harkins, Gina (3 December 2020). "The Navy is Naming its Next New Frigate USS Congress". https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/03/navy-naming-its-next-new-frigate-uss-congress.html. 
    35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 LaGrone, Sam (2025-11-25). "Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program" (in en-US). https://news.usni.org/2025/11/25/navy-cancels-constellation-class-frigate-program-considering-new-small-surface-combatants. 
    36. ↑ Werner, Ben (8 April 2020). "Navy Leaders Sink Ship Names Proposed in SECNAV Modly's Last Days". USNI News. United States Naval Institute. https://news.usni.org/2020/04/08/navy-leaders-sink-ship-names-proposed-in-secnav-modlys-last-days. 
    37. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (17 July 2020). "Pentagon Notice Says The First Of The Navy's New Frigates Will Be Named USS Brooke". The War Zone. The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/34948/pentagon-notice-says-the-first-of-the-navys-new-frigates-will-be-named-uss-brooke. 
    38. ↑ "No, the US Navy will not name first of new class of frigates USS Brooke". Defense Brief. 18 July 2020. https://defbrief.com/2020/07/18/no-the-us-navy-will-not-name-first-of-new-class-of-frigates-uss-brooke/. 
    39. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (7 October 2020). "SECNAV Braithwaite Names First FFG(X) USS Constellation". USNI News. United States Naval Institute. https://news.usni.org/2020/10/07/secnav-braithwaite-names-first-ffgx-uss-constellation. 
    40. ↑ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (2 December 2020). "Navy bringing back U.S. Atlantic Fleet". Navy Times. Sightline Media Group. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/12/02/navy-bringing-back-us-atlantic-fleet/. 
    41. ↑ "SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship". United States Navy. 15 January 2021. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2474454/secnav-names-future-vessels-while-aboard-historic-navy-ship/. 
    42. ↑ "Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress". Congressional Research Service. 4 February 2021. RS22478. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS22478. 

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