Navy exercises contract with Fincantieri Marinette Marine for FFG-62

By Aidan Quigley / May 21, 2021 at 10:32 AM

The Navy has exercised its option to award Fincantieri Marinette Marine the contract to build the Constellation-class frigate Congress (FFG-62), the second of its class.

The Navy announced the $553.9 million award Thursday. In April 2020, the service awarded Fincantieri Marinette Marine a $795 million contract to design and build its next-generation frigate, with options for up to 10 Constellation-class frigates for a total of $5.5 billion.

A majority of work on the ship, which is expected to be completed by January 2027, will be done in Marinette, WI. The first Constellation-class frigate is scheduled for delivery in July 2026, according to budget documents.

The Constellation-class frigate is the next-generation small surface combatant, and can conduct "air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations" missions, according to the Navy.

"As the second ship of the Constellation Class Frigate Program, the USS Congress will provide a highly capable, next-generation surface combatant that our Navy and Nation needs," Capt. Kevin Smith, the Constellation-class frigate program manager, said in the Navy's press release.

The Navy plans to buy a total of 20 frigates, including one ship in FY-22, two in FY-23, two in FY-24 and three in FY-25, according to budget documents.

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