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Constellation-class frigate
Constellation-class frigate
Constellation-class frigate
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An artist's rendering of the final Constellation-class design
Class overview
NameConstellation class
BuildersFincantieri 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]
Built2024–present
In commission2029 (planned)[2]
Planned20[3]
On order6
Building1
General characteristics
Typeguided-missile frigate
Displacement7,291 tons, fully loaded[4]
Length496 ft (151.18 m)[4]
Beam65 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]
Speedin excess of 26 kn (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph), electric drive
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × rigid-hulled inflatable boats
Capacity200 accommodations
Complement24 officers and 176 enlisted crew
Sensors &
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × 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 is a class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates of the United States Navy based on the Italian Navy's version of the European multipurpose frigate or FREMM.[15] Constellation follows the modular but problematic littoral combat ships of the Freedom and Independence classes.[16] 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][17]

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 Italian version of FREMM designed by Fincantieri. The project was later renamed FFG-62 program after the lead ship of her class.[18]

Development

[edit]

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.[19][4]

Design

[edit]
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.[16]: 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.[20]

The U.S. Navy would like for the ship to be able to:[14]

  • 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.

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.[21] 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.[21]

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.[22] Other problems include their high cost (double original projection), and maintenance costs.[23]

Contenders

[edit]

Six shipbuilders submitted proposals for conceptual designs to the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate program.[7][24] 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.[25]

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)[26]
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)[25]
Atlas North America MEKO A-200[7] MEKO A-200 121[7] 100-120[7] None

Contract award

[edit]

On 30 April 2020, it was announced that Fincantieri Marinette Marine's FREMM design had won the contest. Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), in Marinette, Wisconsin, was awarded a $795-million contract for detailed design and construction of the lead ship, Constellation, with options for nine additional ships.[27] In May 2021, the U.S. Navy issued FMM a $554-million contract to start building the future USS Congress (FFG-63).[28]

Construction

[edit]

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.[29] A year later, in April 2025, it was reported that the first frigate of the class, Constellation, was only 10 percent complete.[30] Furthermore, the design had yet to be finalized and approved.[30]

Ships of the class

[edit]
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][28]
Chesapeake FFG-64 NS Everett, WA Awarded[35][21]
Lafayette FFG-65 NS Everett, WA Awarded[36][37]
Hamilton FFG-66 NS Everett, WA Awarded[38]
Galvez FFG-67 NS Everett, WA Awarded[38][39]
Everett Alvarez Jr. FFG-68 NS Everett, WA [40]
Joy Bright Hancock FFG-69 NS Everett, WA [41]

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

[edit]

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.[42] In July 2020, it was reported by The War Zone that the lead ship would be named USS Brooke (FFG-80).[43] Later the U.S. Navy clarified via Twitter that reports about reusing the USS Brooke name for a new warship were erroneous.[44]

In October 2020, Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite announced the first FFG(X) frigate would be named USS Constellation (FFG-62).[45] In December 2020, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the second ship of the class will be named USS Congress (FFG-63).[33][46] 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.[35]

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.[47]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Constellation-class frigate

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Constellation-class frigate is a class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates under development for the United States Navy, intended to provide versatile capabilities in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare across blue-water and littoral environments. Designed as a modified derivative of the Italian Navy's FREMM frigate, the class incorporates the Aegis Baseline 10 combat management system, AN/SPY-6 radar, and a 32-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system for missiles such as the SM-6, ESSM, and Tomahawk, complemented by a 57 mm main gun, SeaRAM point defense, and facilities for MH-60R helicopters and MQ-8C drones. With a planned displacement of approximately 7,400 tons fully loaded, a length of 496 feet, and a beam of 65 feet, the frigates aim to fill a gap left by the retirement of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class while operating independently or in support of larger carrier strike groups. Procurement of the class began in fiscal year 2020, with the lead ship USS Constellation (FFG-62) awarded to and construction starting in August 2022, followed by the second ship USS Congress (FFG-63) also under construction at the same yard. However, on November 25, 2025, Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the cancellation of the program beyond these two ships, terminating future procurements originally planned for up to 20 vessels over two decades to bolster fleet numbers amid rising great-power competition. The program has encountered significant hurdles, including over 2,000 design changes post-construction initiation, resulting in at least a 36-month delay for the lead ship, which remains only about 10% complete as of mid-2025, alongside cost growth exceeding initial estimates—factors cited in the cancellation decision. Further compounding issues, the frigates have experienced unplanned weight growth of at least 759 metric tons—representing roughly 10% over baseline—potentially necessitating reductions in fuel capacity or , as highlighted in Government Accountability Office assessments that criticize premature construction before stabilization. These challenges stem from integrating U.S.-specific systems into a foreign baseline without fully maturing the configuration, leading congressional and calls for program reevaluation to ensure affordability and performance. Despite these setbacks culminating in the program's partial termination, the two approved ships represent the Navy's effort to modernize its small force with a survivable, networked platform capable of distributed maritime operations.

Program Origins and Development

Strategic Imperative

The United States 's development of the Constellation-class addresses a longstanding gap in its surface fleet for a survivable, multi-mission small capable of independent operations or integration into carrier strike groups. Following the underperformance of the (LCS) program—which prioritized speed over robustness and resulted in vessels ill-suited for high-threat environments—the sought a design emphasizing (ASW), (SUW), anti-air warfare (AAW), and electronic warfare (EW) in both blue-water and littoral domains. This shift reflects empirical assessments of LCS limitations, including vulnerability to advanced threats and insufficient lethality, prompting early retirement of multiple units despite significant investment. The strategic imperative arises from the 2018 National Defense Strategy's pivot to great power competition, particularly countering China's expansion of a featuring over 50 frigates and destroyers optimized for (A2/AD) tactics in the . Russia's submarine resurgence further underscores the need for ASW-focused escorts to protect high-value assets like carriers and amphibious ships. The Constellation-class supports Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) by enabling networked, dispersed forces that distribute combat power across a larger number of platforms, reducing reliance on expensive Arleigh Burke-class destroyers for routine missions. With plans for at least 20 ships, the program aims to bolster fleet numbers toward a 355-ship objective, providing persistent forward presence and deterrence without proportional cost escalation. Procurement decisions prioritize affordability and industrial base sustainability, targeting unit costs around $1 billion per ship to enable higher production rates compared to destroyers exceeding $2 billion each. This calculus is driven by causal realities of , where numerical superiority and endurance in contested seas outweigh singular platform dominance against peer fleets deploying swarms of submarines, missiles, and drones. Congressional oversight via the emphasizes the frigates' role in maintaining U.S. maritime superiority amid adversaries' quantitative advantages in smaller combatants.

Parent Design Selection

The U.S. Navy pursued a parent-design acquisition for the FFG(X)—later designated Constellation-class—to minimize technical risks, schedule slips, and cost growth experienced in prior programs such as the , by adapting a proven, serially produced hull form rather than developing a clean-sheet . This approach required industry offerors to baseline their proposals on existing frigates with demonstrated maturity, operational , and modular architectures amenable to U.S.-specific modifications like integration and Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) installation. In October 2017, the Navy issued requests for proposals emphasizing foreign or domestic parent designs with low-risk adaptation potential, culminating in a February 2018 downselect to five competing industry teams: Fincantieri Marinette Marine (proposing the Italian FREMM), General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (proposing a Navantia-based design), Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding (proposing a modified Arleigh Burke derivative or similar), Austal USA (proposing an enlarged Independence-class variant), and Bollinger Shipyards (proposing a new or adapted design). Evaluation during Phase I conceptual design (2018–2019) assessed proposals against criteria including alignment with multi-mission requirements—prioritizing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities—estimated unit procurement costs of $800–950 million in then-year dollars, integration feasibility for U.S. weapons and sensors, growth margins for future upgrades, and overall program affordability for a planned buy of 20 ships. The Italian ASW-oriented FREMM variant emerged as the winner due to its established operational history (first commissioned in 2012 with over a dozen hulls delivered), proven ASW suite including and facilities, electric CODLAG offering and reduced , and inherent flexibility for upscaling displacement, power generation, and mission bays to accommodate U.S. requirements like 32-cell Mk 41 VLS and increased endurance. On April 30, 2020, the Navy awarded a $795 million for detail and lead-ship (FFG-62), valuing options for nine follow-on ships at up to $9.5 billion total, citing the FREMM's maturity as enabling faster transition to production compared to less-proven alternatives. This selection represented a departure from historical U.S. practice, adopting a foreign baseline to expedite fleet modernization amid great-power competition demands.

Procurement Process and Contract

The U.S. Navy initiated the FFG(X) procurement as part of its small strategy, emphasizing a parent hull to mitigate technical and schedule risks associated with clean-sheet development. In February 2018, the Navy awarded concept contracts to five industry teams, including (FMM), to adapt existing foreign designs—such as the Italian-French FREMM—for U.S. requirements; FMM received $15 million for this phase. The selection process prioritized proven designs capable of integrating U.S. combat systems, with evaluations based on cost, performance, and industrial base impacts. On April 30, 2020, the Navy awarded FMM the detail design and construction (DD&C) contract for the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), valued at $795 million initially, with options for up to nine additional frigates potentially totaling over $5.6 billion over 15 years. This fixed-price incentive contract established a two-phase acquisition structure: Phase I for conceptual refinement and Phase II for detailed engineering and lead ship construction at FMM's Marinette, Wisconsin, facility. FMM's modified FREMM proposal was selected over competitors like Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics, due to its balance of capability, affordability, and alignment with Navy priorities for multi-mission frigates. Subsequent procurements have followed an incremental block-buy approach, with annual or multi-ship awards tied to fiscal year budgets. For instance, in May 2024, FMM received a $1 billion contract modification for the fifth and sixth ships (FFG-67 and FFG-68). The Navy's FY2025 budget requested $1.17 billion for the seventh frigate (FFG-69), supporting a planned acquisition of at least 20 ships through the 2030s, though program delays have impacted delivery timelines. These contracts incorporate government-furnished equipment for weapons and sensors to control costs, while FMM handles hull, mechanical, and electrical integration.

Technical Design

Baseline FREMM Modifications

The Constellation-class frigate adapts the baseline Italian FREMM (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) general-purpose variant as a modified design basis for multi-mission operations, through extensive modifications to satisfy standards for survivability, interoperability, and multi-mission performance encompassing anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and surface warfare (SUW) with strong vertical launch system capability. Originally selected for its proven design in service since 2012, the parent hull form underwent alterations including a 23.6-foot length extension to approximately 496 feet and a beam increase to 65 feet, elevating full-load displacement to ~7,400 tons from the FREMM's roughly 6,500 tons. These hull changes, including a redesigned bow and modified , accommodate expanded vertical launch capabilities and upgrades, though unplanned weight growth exceeding 10% from June 2020 to October 2023—equating to hundreds of additional tons—has raised concerns over margins and long-term service life. Propulsion retains a heavily revised combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) architecture from the FREMM, incorporating a single GE LM2500+G4 gas turbine for boosted power output, enhanced diesel generators, electric propulsion motors, a new gearbox, shaft lines, and propellers tailored for minimized acoustic signatures to support . The combat management system diverges markedly with integration of the Baseline 10, paired with the (V)3 radar for advanced air and surface threat detection, supplanting the FREMM's Leonardo-derived Leonardo Kronos or Herakles systems. Armament modifications emphasize vertical launch flexibility, featuring 32 Mk 41 cells supporting quad-packed Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles alongside variants that rely on active homing rather than semi-active radar guidance, eliminating the need for legacy illuminators like the SPG-62 found in some FREMM configurations. The primary gun shifts to a lighter 57 mm Mk 110 from the FREMM's 76 mm or 127 mm options, augmented by Mk 49 launchers for close-in defense. Underwater sensors omit the FREMM's bow-mounted to prioritize and , substituting the Thales CAPTAS-4 towed variable-depth array for improved detection. Survivability enhancements address U.S. Navy mandates absent in the baseline FREMM, incorporating ballistic armor, redundant systems, and shock-hardening that added roughly 300 tons, with over 500 contract data requirements dictating integrations for damage control and topside arrangements. These adaptations reduced design commonality from an initial 85% to about 15%, complicating maturation and contributing to construction delays on lead ship USS Constellation (FFG-62), as concurrent detailing revealed integration gaps in structures, piping, and ventilation.

Weapons and Sensors Integration

The Constellation-class frigate integrates its weapons and sensors via the Baseline 10 combat management system, which centralizes for multi-mission operations including air warfare, , and . This system, developed by , facilitates and weapon employment across networked fleet assets, with initial software packages delivered to the lead ship in June 2023 ahead of schedule. Key sensors include the AN/SPY-6(V)3 Enterprise Air Surveillance (EASR), a gallium nitride-based providing volume search, track, and limited fire control capabilities optimized for the frigate's reduced crew and power constraints. The electronic warfare suite features the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 2, enabling detection, jamming, and decoy deployment against anti-ship threats. For anti-submarine warfare, the ships incorporate elements of the AN/SQQ-89(V) sonar suite, supporting hull-mounted and towed array operations augmented by the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter's dipping and sonobuoys. Weapons integration centers on a forward 32-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) capable of quad-packing RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block 2 for air defense or single-loading RIM-174 Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) for extended-range engagements, though the design omits a dedicated illuminator for semi-active homing missiles in favor of active-seeker reliance and networked cueing, with primary armament including the 57 mm Mk 110 gun and RAM/SeaRAM close-in weapon system. Surface strike is provided by 16 canister-launched RGM-184 Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), while close-in defense includes a Mk 49 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher and four Mk 53 Mod 9 decoy launching systems. The primary is a 57 mm Mk 110 deck gun, integrated for anti-surface and air roles with remote operation to minimize manning. These U.S.-sourced systems replace European counterparts from the parent FREMM design, requiring hull modifications for compatibility with American power, cooling, and interface standards to ensure seamless operation under oversight.

Hull, Propulsion, and Performance Specs

The hull of the Constellation-class frigate measures 496 feet (151 m) in length, with a beam of 65 feet and a draft of 18 feet (5.5 meters). The full-load displacement is approximately 7,400 short tons (6,700 metric tons). This design, adapted from the Italian FREMM frigate, incorporates modifications for U.S. Navy requirements, including enhanced survivability features. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) system, featuring one General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine, two electric propulsion motors, four ship-service diesel generators, and one auxiliary propulsion unit. This configuration enables efficient operation across varying speeds, with the gas turbine for high-speed transit and diesel-electric modes for cruising and low-speed maneuvers. Performance specifications include a maximum speed of 26+ knots and a range of ~6,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. The ships accommodate ~200 personnel.
SpecificationValue
Length496 ft (151 m)
Beam65 ft
Draft18 ft (5.5 m)
Displacement~7,400 short tons
PropulsionCODLAG (1 GT, 2 electric motors, 4 diesel generators, 1 APU)
Maximum Speed26+ knots
Range~6,000 nm at 16 knots

Construction and Production

Shipyard Execution

The Constellation-class frigates are constructed by (FMM) in , selected as the prime contractor following a competitive procurement process. Construction execution began on August 31, 2022, with the ceremonial cutting of the first steel plate for the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), after a Navy assessment confirmed design maturity and shipyard readiness. FMM has invested in facility expansions, including a newly revamped yard with major upgrades to support modular construction techniques adapted from the Italian FREMM parent design, such as land-level module assembly to streamline welding and outfitting. Key execution milestones include the for FFG-62 on April 12, 2024, marking the formal authentication of the ship's modular keel structure, which integrates hull sections pre-outfitted with systems to accelerate assembly. Despite these advances, execution has encountered significant hurdles, including a in 2023 that temporarily halted operations and delayed progress on both Constellation and legacy LCS builds. Workforce retention issues have compounded delays, with Secretary of the attributing program setbacks partly to "atrocious" turnover rates at FMM, necessitating intensified recruitment and training efforts amid a broader U.S. labor shortage. Design instability during execution has further impeded progress, as extensive U.S.-specific modifications—such as enhanced survivability features, integration of American weapon systems like the Mk 41 VLS, and propulsion adjustments—have led to iterative changes post-steel cutting, resulting in over 700 engineering changes and at least 759 metric tons of unplanned weight growth on the . The Government Accountability Office () reported in 2024 that these factors stalled construction, pushing FFG-62's delivery from 2026 to at least 2029, with ongoing assessments revealing incomplete vendor data for government-furnished equipment integration. To mitigate risks, FMM has shifted to parallel module fabrication for follow-on ships, supported by contract options exercised through 2024 for up to 10 vessels, though scaling production remains constrained by bottlenecks for specialized components.

Lead Ship Milestones

Construction of the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), began on August 31, 2022, at in , marking the initial fabrication of structural components ahead of full assembly. The keel-laying ceremony occurred on April 12, 2024, a traditional milestone authenticating the ship's foundational plate through , attended by Secretary of the Navy . By April 2025, progress on FFG-62 had reached approximately 10% completion, with ongoing refinements to the amid integration challenges for systems and . The U.S. Navy anticipates full maturity enabling continuous production by May 2025, though the vessel's delivery has slipped to April 2029—three years beyond the original 2026 target—due to capacity constraints and engineering adjustments, including a 759-ton weight increase over initial plans. No christening or launch dates have been announced as of October 2025, with commissioning expected post-delivery following sea trials and testing.

Scaling and Supply Chain

The U.S. Navy's Constellation-class frigate program aims to scale production to support of at least 20 ships over the long term, with a planned annual rhythm of 2-1-2-1 vessels from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to achieve an average of 1.5 ships per year initially. (FMM), the sole designated shipyard, is enhancing facilities to elevate output from three every two years (1.5 per year) to two per year, contingent on stabilizing design and securing expansions. This scaling effort includes Navy-funded incentives totaling $50 million for labor recruitment and retention at FMM, addressing a projected need for over 1,600 skilled workers by 2025—more than double the prior of around 900—amid high attrition driven by concurrent builds of Littoral Combat Ships and Saudi export vessels. The 2025 allocates an additional $100 million specifically for industrial base and development to underpin this ramp-up. Supply chain vulnerabilities have impeded scaling, with post-pandemic disruptions, , and subcontractor material bidding issues driving nearly $310 million in cost growth for the (FFG-62) through economic pressures on labor and inputs. Broader industry-wide shortages in specialized components and skilled trades, compounded by design revisions deviating from the baseline FREMM parent, have contributed to standstills, including the 's progress lagging at just 3.6% complete against a 35.5% target as of September 2023. To enhance resilience, mandated U.S.-based for critical items like air circuit breakers, gyrocompasses, and engines starting with the 11th via section 8093(b) of H.R. 8774, aiming to reduce foreign dependency and mitigate delays from risks. Prospects for further scaling hinge on introducing a second shipyard, as FMM's capacity limits sustained output beyond two ships annually; the Navy issued a request for information on November 15, 2024, to identify potential U.S. builders for design and construction support, targeting operationalization by fiscal year 2027 if procurement accelerates. Despite these measures, persistent challenges—including over 10% weight growth since 2020 due to material and structural changes—have deferred lead ship delivery to December 2029, 36 months late, underscoring risks to overall program tempo and fleet integration.

Ships and Fleet Integration

Commissioned and Planned Vessels

No Constellation-class frigates have entered commissioned service as of 2025. The lead ship, , remains under construction at , with fabrication beginning on August 31, 2022, and on April 12, 2024; however, program delays have pushed its anticipated delivery to 2029, approximately 36 months behind the original 2026 contract target. On November 25, 2025, Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program beyond the first two ships due to significant delays, cost overruns, and a strategic shift toward faster procurement of alternative small surface combatants. Contracts have been awarded only for these initial hulls, with construction centralized at in . Named vessels include:
Hull NumberNameStatusBuilderPlanned Commissioning
FFG-62USS ConstellationUnder construction2029
FFG-63USS CongressContract awardedTBD
No further hulls are planned following the program's termination. Naming conventions draw from historical U.S. frigates and Revolutionary War figures, such as the original six frigates authorized in and key allies or leaders.

Naming and Symbolic Choices

The lead ship of the Constellation-class, USS Constellation (FFG-62), was named on October 7, 2020, by Secretary of the Kenneth J. Braithwaite during a ceremony aboard the historic USS Constellation in Baltimore, Maryland. This choice honors the original USS Constellation, a 38-gun launched in 1797 at Baltimore's Sterrett Shipyard, which served as one of the six frigates authorized by in 1794 to form the backbone of the early U.S. . The original vessel achieved notable victories, including the capture of the French L’Insurgente on February 9, 1799, during the , and the Algerian Mashouda on June 17, 1815, in the , underscoring its role in protecting American commerce and projecting naval power. The name "Constellation" evokes the stars on the U.S. flag, symbolizing the enduring union of states—from the original 13 to the current 50—and linking modern naval service to foundational traditions of resolve and independence. Braithwaite described as a deliberate effort to restore culture by connecting sailors to a legacy of "service above self" and historical greatness, contrasting with prior proposals for abstract names like or Dauntless that were rejected for lacking inspirational depth. Subsequent vessels extend this heritage theme, initially drawing from the original six frigates—United States, Constellation, Constitution, Congress, Chesapeake, and President—before incorporating figures pivotal to the and early republic. USS Congress (FFG-63) revives the name of the fourth original frigate, announced in December 2020 to emphasize legislative origins of naval strength. USS Chesapeake (FFG-64) follows suit, honoring the fifth original frigate known for its engagements in the War of 1812. Later names shift to revolutionary allies and leaders, including USS Lafayette (FFG-64 or subsequent, after the Marquis de Lafayette), USS Hamilton (after , Treasury Secretary and naval advocate), and USS Gálvez (FFG-67, named June 21, 2024, after , the Spanish governor whose Gulf Coast campaigns aided American forces). This pattern, while not rigidly confined to the 1794 frigates, prioritizes names evoking founding-era resolve over modern abstractions, fostering esprit de corps amid debates over the Navy's historical narratives.

Capabilities and Strategic Role

Multi-Mission Versatility

The Constellation-class frigate is engineered for multi-mission operations, providing the U.S. Navy with a platform capable of conducting air warfare, , , electronic warfare, and stability operations in both blue-water and littoral environments. This design draws from the Italian FREMM frigate but incorporates U.S.-specific modifications, such as enhanced vertical launch system integration, to support flexible mission profiles without requiring extensive reconfiguration. Key to its versatility is the integration of a 32-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) that accommodates a range of missiles for anti-air, anti-surface, and land-attack roles, allowing rapid adaptation to evolving threats. The ship's combat management system facilitates seamless across , , and electronic warfare suites, enabling simultaneous engagement in multiple domains. For anti-submarine missions, it supports an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter equipped for sonar dipping and torpedo deployment, complemented by for underwater threat detection. Surface warfare capabilities include a 57mm main gun and over-the-horizon missiles, while electromagnetic maneuver warfare leverages advanced decoys and jammers for self-protection and offensive information operations. The CODAG propulsion system—combining gas turbine and diesel engines—delivers variable speeds up to 26 knots sustained, optimizing endurance for escort duties, independent patrols, or integration into carrier strike groups. This modular approach to mission sets positions the class as a cost-effective complement to larger destroyers, emphasizing distributed lethality in contested seas.

Comparative Advantages and Limitations

The Constellation-class frigate addresses key deficiencies of the U.S. Navy's (LCS) classes by emphasizing multi-mission lethality and structural resilience over high-speed littoral focus. Equipped with 32 Mk 41 vertical launch system cells supporting Standard Missile-2 for area air defense, Evolved SeaSparrow for point defense, and ASROC for , it enables robust blue-water operations absent in LCS variants, which rely on modular packages with limited or no comparable VLS integration. Its full-load displacement of approximately 7,400 tons—more than double the Freedom-class LCS's 3,500 tons—accommodates advanced towed-array sonar, MH-60R helicopters, and enhanced survivability features like armored citadels, contrasting the LCS's vulnerability to damage and frequent mechanical failures in sustained deployments. Relative to Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the Constellation provides a cost-efficient platform for fleet augmentation, with projected unit costs around $1 billion per ship compared to $1.8 billion or more for Burkes, facilitating procurement of additional hulls for escort, anti-submarine, and distributed maritime operations without straining budgets allocated to high-end combatants. This positions it as a specialist for lower-intensity missions, leveraging proven FREMM-derived hull form for ASW primacy via variable-depth sonar and two helicopters, roles where Burkes' greater complexity yields diminishing returns. However, the class's 32 VLS cells represent a fractional capability versus the Burke's 90, constraining its ability to sustain missile barrages against saturation attacks from peer adversaries like advanced Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles. Its maximum speed exceeding 26 knots falls short of the Burke's 30 knots and LCS sprint speeds over 40 knots, potentially limiting integration into high-tempo carrier strike groups requiring rapid repositioning. U.S. adaptations from the Italian FREMM parent design, including CODAG and enlarged dimensions to 151.8 meters length, introduce heavier displacement and integration risks not evident in operational European frigates with 16-32 VLS in slimmer configurations.

Challenges and Debates

Delay and Overrun Analysis

The Constellation-class frigate program has encountered substantial schedule delays, with the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), originally slated for delivery in April 2026 under the April 2020 contract award to Fincantieri Marinette Marine, now projected for 2029—a 36-month postponement. This slippage equates to a 50% extension of the original 72-month acquisition timeline from contract to delivery. As of April 2025, construction progress stood at approximately 10%, with final design approval still pending despite keel-laying in August 2022. Primary causes include the Navy's decision to deviate from the Italian FREMM parent , incorporating U.S.-specific requirements such as vertical launch systems and combat integration, which rendered the unstable before reaching maturity. Construction commenced with only about 70% of drawings complete, falling short of the 75% threshold recommended for low-risk , leading to rework and halted fabrication. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has attributed these issues to flawed metrics prioritizing drawing volume over quality, exacerbating technical uncertainties in propulsion, combat systems, and hull form. Cost overruns have compounded the delays, with the reporting nearly $310 million in growth across the first four ships as of early 2024, primarily linked to inflation and economic pressures, though design instability and disruptions for specialized components like the turbine propulsion system have driven additional expenses. The has also exceeded its target displacement by at least 759 metric tons, raising concerns over stability, , and further remediation costs. These setbacks reflect systemic acquisition shortcomings, including premature construction starts and inadequate , as highlighted in GAO analyses of major defense programs, where schedule delays for initial operational capability have grown by 18 months on average in recent years. Follow-on ships face similar risks, potentially delaying fleet integration and straining budgets amid competing priorities like Virginia-class submarine production.

Design and Engineering Critiques

The Constellation-class frigate's design has been criticized for instability that stalled construction on the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), leaving it approximately 11% complete as of early 2024 despite keel-laying in July 2022. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessment in May 2024 attributed this to unresolved engineering challenges, including incomplete integration of structural, electrical, and combat systems, which prevented the Navy from releasing over 80% of detailed design products needed for fabrication. These deficiencies violated Department of Defense guidelines requiring at least 95% design maturity before full-rate production, a threshold the program has yet to meet, leading to projected delivery delays of at least three years to fiscal year 2029. Unplanned weight growth has emerged as a core engineering flaw, with the exceeding baseline displacement by at least 759 metric tons—or over 10%—as reported by the in 2024. This surplus, driven by additions like reinforced deck structures for heavier U.S. weapons and sensors, risks compromising stability, , and maximum speed, as excess topside weight alters the center of and demands compensatory or hull modifications. from the Italian FREMM parent exacerbated these issues, reducing commonality from an initial 85% to roughly 40% due to U.S.-specific integrations such as the Mk 41 vertical launch system and COMBATSS-21 system, which required extensive reengineering of power, cooling, and cabling architectures. Procurement decisions have drawn scrutiny for prioritizing speed over maturity, with former Navy acquisition executives noting that reliance on an unproven "parent design" approach underestimated the causal complexities of European to American standards, including incompatible metric-to-imperial conversions and differing specifications. GAO analyses further highlight vulnerabilities, where delayed government-furnished equipment—such as radars and launchers—forced changes, amplifying costs by an estimated $200 million per ship in rework. Naval critiques emphasize that these flaws stem from insufficient upfront modeling of system interactions, potentially limiting the class's multi-mission endurance in high-threat environments compared to unmodified FREMM variants.

Broader Program Viability

The Constellation-class frigate program aims to procure up to 20 ships to modernize the U.S. Navy's small surface combatant fleet, providing multi-mission capabilities for anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare to distribute risk across the fleet and enable Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to prioritize high-end threats. However, persistent design instability—stemming from extensive modifications to the Italian FREMM parent design to meet U.S. survivability and combat system requirements—has undermined progress, with the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), experiencing a 36-month delivery delay to at least December 2027 and construction halting as of mid-2024 due to unresolved technical issues. This reflects broader U.S. Navy shipbuilding practices that initiate fabrication before achieving a stable design, contravening leading industry standards and exacerbating risks in an already strained industrial base. Cost estimates for each frigate hover at $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion in funding, with the FY2025 requesting $1.17 billion for the seventh vessel, but unplanned weight growth of 759 metric tons (13% over initial projections) signals potential lifecycle cost increases from reduced , higher fuel consumption, and diminished speed or stability. A fixed-price incentive contract with lead builder mitigates some overrun exposure to the government, yet GAO assessments highlight that systemic delays could inflate total program expenses and defer fleet contributions amid rising threats from peer competitors. analyses note that while six ships were procured through FY2024, further acquisitions depend on resolving these bottlenecks, with no FY2026 funding planned to prioritize catch-up on earlier hulls. Program viability proved precarious, culminating in November 2025 when Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the cancellation of procurement for most planned Constellation-class frigates, limiting completion to only the first two ships, USS Constellation (FFG-62) and USS Congress (FFG-63), amid persistent delays, cost overruns, and strategic shifts toward faster alternatives. This decision aligns with expert critiques questioning continued investment against timeline slippages and historical underperformance in frigate acquisition since retiring in the 1990s, as well as GAO's March 2025 report underscoring workforce shortages and supply chain vulnerabilities at Marinette Marine that projected risks of falling short of the targeted 20-32 hulls for distributed maritime operations. The truncation reflects congressional scrutiny over opportunity costs in a constrained defense budget, prioritizing numerical fleet growth through alternative designs.

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