Constellation-class frigate

{{Short description|U.S. guided-missile frigates under construction}}

{{Infobox ship image

| Ship image = U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate FFG(X) artist rendering, 30 April 2020 (200430-N-NO101-150).JPG

| Ship caption = An artist's rendering of the final Constellation-class design

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

| Name = Constellation class

| Builders = Fincantieri Marinette Marine

| Operators = {{naval|United States}} (projected)

| Class before = * {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|5}} and {{sclass|Independence|littoral combat ship|4}}es

{{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|4}} (last class with FFG hull code)

| Class after =

| Subclasses =

| Cost = * US$1.28 billion for the first ship[https://news.usni.org/2022/02/01/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-8 "Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)"] summary. USNI, 1 February 2022.

US$1.05 billion for the second ship

| Built range = 2024–present

| In commission range = 2029 (planned){{cite web |last=Shelbourne |first=Mallory |date= |title=Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/04/02/constellation-frigate-delivery-delayed-3-years-says-navy |access-date=2024-04-05 |publisher=USNI News}}

| Total ships on order = 6

| Total ships building = 1

| Total ships planned = 20

| Total ships completed =

| Total ships cancelled =

| Total ships active =

| Total ships laid up =

| Total ships lost =

| Total ships retired =

| Total ships scrapped =

| Total ships preserved =

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Ship type = guided-missile frigate

| Ship displacement = 7,291 tons, fully loaded

| Ship length = {{convert|496|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship beam = {{convert|65|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}

| Ship draft =

| Ship propulsion = * CODLAG

1 × General Electric LM2500+G4 gas turbine[https://www.geaviation.com/marine/engines/military/lm2500-plus-g4] GE, The LM2500+G4 Engine
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 Gearshttps://news.timken.com/2020-10-21-Timkens-Philadelphia-Gear-to-Supply-Critical-Components-for-U-S-Navy-Frigate-Program
2 x fixed-pitch propellers
1 × auxiliary propulsion unit Thrustmasters of Texas Hydrologic Retractable Thruster

| Ship speed = in excess of {{convert|26|kn|abbr=on}}

| Ship range = {{convert|6000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|16|kn|abbr=on}}, electric drive

| Ship complement = 24 officers and 176 enlisted crew

| Ship capacity = 200 accommodations

| Ship sensors = * Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System

AN/SPY-6(V)3 Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR)
AN/SPS-73(V)18 - Next Generation Surface Search Radar
Thales Group CAPTAS-4 Low Frequency Variable-Depth Sonar{{cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |date= |title=Navy Constellation (FFG-62) Class Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R44972.pdf |access-date=2023-06-17 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |page=15 |id=R44972}}
TB-37 Multi-Function Towed Array
AN/SQQ-89(V)16 undersea warfare/anti-submarine warfare combat system{{cite web |last1=Burgess |first1=Richard R. |title=First Steel Cut for Navy's Constellation-Class Frigate |url=https://seapowermagazine.org/first-steel-cut-for-navys-constellation-class-frigate/ |website=Seapower |access-date=4 September 2023 |date=31 August 2022}}
Cooperative Engagement Capability

| Ship EW = * AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic warfare suite{{Cite web |title=FY22 DOT&E Annual Report |url=https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2022/FY22DOTEAnnualReport.pdf |access-date=19 January 2024 |publisher=Director, Operational Test and Evaluation |page=186}}

4 × Mark 53 Nulka decoy launching system
AN/SLQ-61 Lightweight Tow Torpedo Defense Mission Module{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Regan |date=15 January 2019 |title=FFG(X) Update: National Symposium – Surface Navy Association |url=https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/Exhibits/SNA2019/FFGX-Campbell.pdf?ver=2019-01-17-125642-573 |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=navsea.navy.mil |page=3}}{{Cite web |date=4 May 2018 |title=Navy Completes Lightweight Torpedo Defense Mission Module Testing |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2249361/navy-completes-lightweight-torpedo-defense-mission-module-testing/ |access-date=17 June 2023 |website=navy.mil}}

| Ship armament = * 32 Mark 41 VLS cells with:

BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7776/text|title=Text - H.R.7776 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress}}
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{{nbsp}}mm gun with the Advanced Low Cost Munition Ordnance (ALaMO) projectile and related systems
Various machine guns M240 or M2

| Ship boats = * 2 × rigid-hulled inflatable boats

| Ship aircraft = * 1 × MH-60R Seahawk helicopter

| Ship aircraft 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.{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/R44972.pdf |title=Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |publisher=Congressional Research Service |date=8 December 2017 |access-date=17 February 2018}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2017/07/10/frigate-competition-wide-open-navy-specs-reveal-major-design-shift/ |title=Frigate competition wide open: Navy specs reveal major design shift |last=Larter |first=David B. |work=Defense News |publisher=Sightline Media Group |date=10 July 2017 |access-date=19 January 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/07/10/navy-releases-details-of-new-ffgx-guided-missile-frigate-program-in-request-to-industry |title= Navy Releases Details of New FFG(X) Guided-Missile Frigate Program in Request to Industry |last=Eckstein |first=Megan |date=10 July 2017 |work=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |access-date=17 February 2018}}

The Navy selected five shipbuilders to present their ideas for a prospective design for the proposed twenty FFG(X) guided-missile frigates.{{cite news |url=https://news.usni.org/2018/02/16/navy-picks-five-contenders-next-generation-frigate-ffgxprogram |title=Navy Picks Five Contenders for Next Generation Frigate FFG(X) Program |last1=LaGrone |first1=Sam |last2=Eckstein |first2=Megan |date=16 February 2018 |work=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |access-date=17 February 2018}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title=Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62) |url=https://news.usni.org/2021/08/31/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-6 |access-date=2021-09-05 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}

Development

The U.S. Navy procured the first FFG 62 in FY2020.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/10/18/report-to-congress-on-u-s-navy-frigate-ffgx-program-5 |title=Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Frigate FFG(X) Program |date=2019-10-18 |website=USNI News |language=en-US |access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web |last1=Larter |first1=David |title=Here's the latest on the US Navy's new Constellation-class frigate |url=https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/surface-navy-association/2021/01/12/heres-the-latest-on-the-us-navys-new-constellation-class-frigate |work= Breaking Defense |date=12 January 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021}}

Design

File:Proposed Government Furnished Equipment for FFG(X).png

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.{{rp|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."

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."

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.{{Cite web |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=2019-01-22 |title=Navy Squeezing Costs Out of FFG(X) Program as Requirements Solidify |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/01/22/navy-squeezing-costs-ffgx-program-requirements-solidify |access-date=2019-02-09 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}

The U.S. Navy would like for the ship to be able to:{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Larter |first=David B. |date=2020-12-06 |title=Citing littoral combat ship failures, Congress pushes the US Navy to get FFG(X) right |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/12/04/citing-littoral-combat-ship-failures-congress-pushes-the-us-navy-to-get-ffgx-right/ |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=Defense News |language=en-US}} 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.

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.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Richard |date=2023-01-24 |title=Was the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship a mistake? |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/was-the-us-navys-littoral-combat-ship-a-mistake/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}} Other problems include their high cost (double original projection), and maintenance costs.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-04 |title=The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/us/politics/littoral-combat-ships-lobbying.html |access-date=2023-03-21}}

= Contenders =

Six shipbuilders submitted proposals for conceptual designs to the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate program.{{cite web |url=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 |title=SNA 2018: Contenders for the U.S. Navy FFG(X) Frigate Program |editor-last=Vavasseur |editor-first=Xavier |work=Navy Recognition |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=19 January 2018}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/1444724/ |title= Contracts |date=16 February 2018 |id= CR-032-18 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=17 February 2018 |quote="…six offers received."}} 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). These shipbuilders were Austal USA, Fincantieri Marine Group, General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Lockheed Martin.

Atlas North America submitted the MEKO A-200, but was not selected for a conceptual design contract. 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.

In May 2019, Lockheed Martin withdrew from the competition.{{cite web|last=LaGrone|first=Sam|date=28 May 2019|title=Lockheed Martin Won't Submit Freedom LCS Design for FFG(X) Contest|url=https://news.usni.org/2019/05/28/lockheed-martin-wont-submit-freedom-lcs-design-for-ffgx-contest|access-date=28 May 2019|publisher=USNI News}}

class="wikitable" \|+ !Shipbuilder !Parent Design !Proposal Name !Length (m) !Crew !Contract Awarded
Austal USA \|Independence-class LCS \|"Austal Frigate" \|127.7 \|to 130 \|Design
Fincantieri Marine Group \|European multipurpose frigate (FREMM) \|FREMM \|143.8 \|133 \|Detail Design and Construction (DD&C){{Cite web \|date=2022-07-15 \|title=Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62) \|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/07/15/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-11 \|access-date=2022-12-18 \|website=USNI News \|language=en-US}}
General Dynamics / Bath Iron Works \|Álvaro de Bazán-class Spanish frigate \|"F100" \|146.7 \|to 234 \|Design
Huntington Ingalls Industries \|Legend-class National Security Cutter \|"Patrol Frigate" \|127.4 \|Unspecified \|Design
Lockheed Martin \|Freedom-class LCS \|"Freedom Frigate" \|125 \|130 \|Design (withdrawn)
Atlas North America \|MEKO A-200 \|MEKO A-200 \|121 \|100-120 \|None

class="wikitable"

!Shipbuilder

!Parent Design

!Proposal Name

!Length (m)

!Crew

!Contract Awarded

Austal USA

|Independence-class LCS

|"Austal Frigate"

|127.7

|to 130

|Design

Fincantieri Marine Group

|European multipurpose frigate (FREMM)

|FREMM

|143.8

|133

|Detail Design and Construction (DD&C){{Cite web |date=2022-07-15 |title=Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62) |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/07/15/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-11 |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}

General Dynamics / Bath Iron Works

|Álvaro de Bazán-class Spanish frigate

|"F100"

|146.7

|to 234

|Design

Huntington Ingalls Industries

|Legend-class National Security Cutter

|"Patrol Frigate"

|127.4

|Unspecified

|Design

Lockheed Martin

|Freedom-class LCS

|"Freedom Frigate"

|125

|130

|Design (withdrawn)

Atlas North America

|MEKO A-200

|121

|100-120

|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.{{cite news |last1=Eckstein |first1=Megan |title=Fincantieri Wins $795M Contract for Navy Frigate Program |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/04/30/fincantieri-wins-795m-contract-for-navy-frigate-program |work= USNI News |access-date=30 April 2020 |date=30 April 2020}} In May 2021, the U.S. Navy issued Fincantieri Marinette Marine a $554-million contract to start building the future {{USS|Congress|FFG-63}}.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-20|title=Navy Issues $554M Contract Modification for Second Navy Frigate|url=https://news.usni.org/2021/05/20/navy-issues-554m-contract-modification-for-second-navy-frigate|access-date=2021-05-21|website=USNI News|language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |last1=Shelbourne |first1=Mallory |last2=LaGrone |first2=Sam |date=April 2, 2024 |title=Constellation Frigate Delivery Delayed 3 Years, Says Navy |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/04/02/constellation-frigate-delivery-delayed-3-years-says-navy |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=USNI News}} A year later, in April 2025, it was reported that the first frigate of the class, Constellation, was only 10 percent complete.{{cite web |author=Joseph Trevithick |date=10 April 2025 |title=First Constellation Frigate Only 10% Complete, Design Still Being Finalized |url=https://www.twz.com/sea/first-constellation-frigate-only-10-complete-design-still-being-finalized |website=The War Zone}} Furthermore, the design had yet to be finalized and approved.

Ships of the class

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ ! scope="col" \| Name ! scope="col" \| Hull Number ! scope="col" \| Builder ! scope="col" \| Laid Down ! scope="col" \| Launched ! scope="col" \| Commissioned ! scope="col" \| Homeport ! scope="col" \| Status
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Constellation\|FFG-62\|2}} \| FFG-62 \| rowspan="8" \|Fincantieri Marinette Marine \| 12 April 2024 \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Under construction{{cite press release\|url=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/\|title= SECNAV Del Toro Celebrates the Keel Laying of the Future USS Constellation (FFG 62)\|publisher=United States Navy\|date=12 April 2024\|access-date=12 April 2024}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Congress\|FFG-63\|2}} \| FFG-63 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Awarded{{cite press release \|title=SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Congress \|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2435589/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-congress/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205010702/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2435589/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-congress/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=December 5, 2020 \|publisher=United States Navy \|date=4 December 2020 \|access-date=16 January 2021}}{{cite news \|last=Harkins \|first=Gina \|title=The Navy is Naming its Next New Frigate USS Congress \|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/03/navy-naming-its-next-new-frigate-uss-congress.html \|website=Military.com \|date=3 December 2020 \|access-date=16 January 2021}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Chesapeake\|FFG-64\|2}} \| FFG-64 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Awarded{{cite press release \|title=SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship \|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2474454/secnav-names-future-vessels-while-aboard-historic-navy-ship/ \|publisher=United States Navy \|date=15 January 2021 \|access-date=16 January 2021}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Lafayette\|FFG-65\|2}} \| FFG-65 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Awarded{{cite news \|last=Bahtić \|first=Fatima \|title=Fincantieri to construct 4th Constellation-class frigate for US Navy \|url=https://www.navaltoday.com/2023/05/19/fincantieri-to-construct-4th-constellation-class-frigate-for-us-navy/ \|publisher=Naval Today \|date=19 May 2023 \|access-date=22 May 2023}}{{cite press release \|title=SECNAV Names Future Constellation-Class Guided-Missile Frigate Lafayette \|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3443775/secnav-names-future-constellation-class-guided-missile-frigate-lafayette/ \|publisher=United States Navy \|date=29 June 2023 \|access-date=29 June 2023}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Hamilton\|FFG-66\|2}} \|FFG-66 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Awarded{{Cite web \|last=Shelbourne \|first=Mallory \|date=2024-05-23 \|title=Navy Awards $1B Contract for 5th, 6th Constellation-class Frigates \|url=https://news.usni.org/2024/05/23/navy-awards-1b-contract-for-5th-6th-constellation-class-frigates \|access-date=2024-05-24 \|website=USNI News \|language=en-US}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Galvez\|FFG-67\|2}} \|FFG-67 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|Awarded{{cite web \| title=SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Galvez (FFG 67) \| website=United States Navy \| date=21 June 2024 \| url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/Article/3813156/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-galvez-ffg-67/ \| access-date=21 June 2024}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Everett Alvarez Jr.\|FFG-68\|2}} \|FFG-68 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|{{cite press release \|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/4030194/secnav-del-toro-names-destroyers-and-frigate-at-the-37th-surface-navy-associati/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116013848/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/4030194/secnav-del-toro-names-destroyers-and-frigate-at-the-37th-surface-navy-associati/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=January 16, 2025 \|title=SECNAV Del Toro Names Destroyers and Frigate at the 37th Surface Navy Association (SNA) National Symposium\|publisher=United States Navy \|date=15 January 2025 \|access-date=15 January 2025}}
scope="row" \| {{USS\|Joy Bright Hancock\|FFG-69\|2}} \|FFG-69 \| \| \| \|NS Everett, WA \|{{cite press release \|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4002768/secnav-del-toro-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-joy-bright-hancock-ffg/ \|title=SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Joy Bright Hancock (FFG 69) \|publisher=United States Navy \|date=16 December 2024 \|access-date=16 December 2024}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Hull Number

! scope="col" | Builder

! scope="col" | Laid Down

! scope="col" | Launched

! scope="col" | Commissioned

! scope="col" | Homeport

! scope="col" | Status

scope="row" | {{USS|Constellation|FFG-62|2}}

| FFG-62

| rowspan="8" |Fincantieri Marinette Marine

| 12 April 2024

|NS Everett, WA

|Under construction{{cite press release|url=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/|title= SECNAV Del Toro Celebrates the Keel Laying of the Future USS Constellation (FFG 62)|publisher=United States Navy|date=12 April 2024|access-date=12 April 2024}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Congress|FFG-63|2}}

| FFG-63

|NS Everett, WA

|Awarded{{cite press release |title=SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Congress |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2435589/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-congress/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205010702/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2435589/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-congress/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |publisher=United States Navy |date=4 December 2020 |access-date=16 January 2021}}{{cite news |last=Harkins |first=Gina |title=The Navy is Naming its Next New Frigate USS Congress |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/03/navy-naming-its-next-new-frigate-uss-congress.html |website=Military.com |date=3 December 2020 |access-date=16 January 2021}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Chesapeake|FFG-64|2}}

| FFG-64

|NS Everett, WA

|Awarded{{cite press release |title=SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2474454/secnav-names-future-vessels-while-aboard-historic-navy-ship/ |publisher=United States Navy |date=15 January 2021 |access-date=16 January 2021}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Lafayette|FFG-65|2}}

| FFG-65

|NS Everett, WA

|Awarded{{cite news |last=Bahtić |first=Fatima |title=Fincantieri to construct 4th Constellation-class frigate for US Navy |url=https://www.navaltoday.com/2023/05/19/fincantieri-to-construct-4th-constellation-class-frigate-for-us-navy/ |publisher=Naval Today |date=19 May 2023 |access-date=22 May 2023}}{{cite press release |title=SECNAV Names Future Constellation-Class Guided-Missile Frigate Lafayette |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/3443775/secnav-names-future-constellation-class-guided-missile-frigate-lafayette/ |publisher=United States Navy |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Hamilton|FFG-66|2}}

|FFG-66

|NS Everett, WA

|Awarded{{Cite web |last=Shelbourne |first=Mallory |date=2024-05-23 |title=Navy Awards $1B Contract for 5th, 6th Constellation-class Frigates |url=https://news.usni.org/2024/05/23/navy-awards-1b-contract-for-5th-6th-constellation-class-frigates |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=USNI News |language=en-US}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Galvez|FFG-67|2}}

|FFG-67

|NS Everett, WA

|Awarded{{cite web | title=SECNAV Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Galvez (FFG 67) | website=United States Navy | date=21 June 2024 | url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/Article/3813156/secnav-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-galvez-ffg-67/ | access-date=21 June 2024}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Everett Alvarez Jr.|FFG-68|2}}

|FFG-68

|NS Everett, WA

|{{cite press release |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/4030194/secnav-del-toro-names-destroyers-and-frigate-at-the-37th-surface-navy-associati/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116013848/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/4030194/secnav-del-toro-names-destroyers-and-frigate-at-the-37th-surface-navy-associati/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |title=SECNAV Del Toro Names Destroyers and Frigate at the 37th Surface Navy Association (SNA) National Symposium|publisher=United States Navy |date=15 January 2025 |access-date=15 January 2025}}

scope="row" | {{USS|Joy Bright Hancock|FFG-69|2}}

|FFG-69

|NS Everett, WA

|{{cite press release |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4002768/secnav-del-toro-names-future-guided-missile-frigate-uss-joy-bright-hancock-ffg/ |title=SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Guided Missile Frigate USS Joy Bright Hancock (FFG 69) |publisher=United States Navy |date=16 December 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Correll |first1=Diana |title=Naval Station Everett selected as homeport for Constellation-class frigates |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2021/06/03/naval-station-everett-selected-as-homeport-for-constellation-class-frigates/ |work=Navy Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=9 November 2021}}

= Naming =

In April 2020, it was revealed that four proposed names were put forward by outgoing acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly. He expressed a desire for the first ship to be named Agility with the class designated Agility class. Other names put forward were Intrepid, Endeavor, and Dauntless. However, Navy leaders said Modly's proposed names would not be adopted.{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Werner |title=Navy Leaders Sink Ship Names Proposed in SECNAV Modly's Last Days |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/04/08/navy-leaders-sink-ship-names-proposed-in-secnav-modlys-last-days |work=USNI News |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=17 July 2020}} In July 2020, it was reported by The War Zone that the lead ship would be named USS Brooke (FFG-80).{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Trevithick |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/34948/pentagon-notice-says-the-first-of-the-navys-new-frigates-will-be-named-uss-brooke |title=Pentagon Notice Says The First Of The Navy's New Frigates Will Be Named USS Brooke |work=The War Zone |publisher=The Drive |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=17 July 2020}} Later the U.S. Navy clarified via Twitter that reports about reusing the USS Brooke name for a new warship were erroneous.{{cite news |title= No, the US Navy will not name first of new class of frigates USS Brooke |url=https://defbrief.com/2020/07/18/no-the-us-navy-will-not-name-first-of-new-class-of-frigates-uss-brooke/ |publisher=Defense Brief |date=18 July 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020}}

In October 2020, Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite announced the first FFG(X) frigate would be named USS Constellation (FFG-62).{{cite news |first=Megan |last=Eckstein |title=SECNAV Braithwaite Names First FFG(X) USS Constellation |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/10/07/secnav-braithwaite-names-first-ffgx-uss-constellation |work=USNI News |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=7 October 2020}} In December 2020, Secretary Braithwaite announced that the second ship of the class will be named USS Congress (FFG-63).{{cite news |first1=Geoff |last1=Ziezulewicz |title=Navy bringing back U.S. Atlantic Fleet |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/12/02/navy-bringing-back-us-atlantic-fleet/ |work=Navy Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |date=2 December 2020 |access-date=2 December 2020}} 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.

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.{{cite web |title=Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS22478 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |id=RS22478 |date=4 February 2021}}

References

External links

[https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cdf24447b8015337e910d330a87518c6&tab=core&_cview=0 RFI Solicitation Number: N0002418R2300] - 2017-07-10; response by 24 August 2017

Category:Constellation-class frigates

Category:Proposed ships of the United States Navy

Constellation-class frigate

Development

Design

= Contenders =

= Contract award =

Construction

Ships of the class

= Naming =

See also

References

External links