Frigate conceptual designs due to the Navy in mid-December

Conceptual design proposals for the guided-missile frigate replacement program are due Dec. 18, and an award is expected early next year, the Navy told vendors during an industry day today.

If the proposal includes a vessel design from a foreign shipyard, the conceptual designs must include the teaming arrangement as well as the plan for managing technical risks, according to industry day slides.

The notional procurement profile outlined at the industry day shows a build rate of one ship per year in FY-20 and FY-21 and two ships per year from FY-22 on.

The Navy last month released the final request for proposals for the effort.