US Navy issues RFI on possible second Constellation-class frigate shipbuilder

The US Navy is seeking information about a possible second frigate shipbuilder. (Fincantieri Marinette Marine)

The US Navy (USN) issued a request for information (RFI) on 15 November to identify potential ship construction sources for the Constellation-class guided-missile frigate (FFG) programme.

The FFG 62 Constellation Class Frigate Program Office (PMS 515) “seeks to identify qualified US surface combatant shipbuilders as sources for future design and/or follow-on construction” of the Constellation-class ships, read the RFI.

Currently Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) is building the ships, but the programme's acquisition strategy allows the option for a second shipbuilder in the future to build additional ships beyond the 10 currently under contract.

The RFI said, “Contemplated activities include, but are not limited to: necessary engineering, technical, material procurement and production support; configuration management; Class Standard Equipment (CSE) support class flight and baseline upgrades and new technology support; data and logistics management; lessons learned analysis; testing and acceptance trials; post-delivery test and trials; post-shakedown availability support; achieving reliability and maintainability requirements; system safety program support; material and fleet turnover support; shipyard engineering team; turnkey support; crew indoctrination; design tool/design standardisation; detail design development; and other technical and engineering analyses for the purpose of supporting the frigate.”

The keel for lead frigate Constellation (FFG 62) was laid on 12 April; however, the ship is running 36 months behind schedule, according to a 45-day shipbuilding review of major shipbuilding programmes briefed to media on 2 April.

The delay was more than any of the other programmes in the review.

Delay causes

The delays were due in a large part to the lack of a sufficient workforce and supply-chain disruptions, according to the review and USN officials who gave the briefing.