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2020-06-07

Fincantieri To Build New U.S. Navy Frigates

The U.S. Navy recently awarded a contract to design and produce the next generation small surface combatant, the Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)). The contract for detail design and construction (DD&C) of up to 10 Guided Missile Frigates (consisting of one base ship and nine option ships) was awarded to Fincantieri’s U.S. subsidiary, Marinette Marine (FMM) of Marinette, Wisconsin.

The contract has an option for nine additional ships, as well as post-delivery availability support and crew training, with the cumulative value amounting to US$5.5 billion. The U.S. Navy plans to build 10 additional vessels as part of the future frigate programme.

In addition to the Littoral Combat Ships programme, envisaging the construction of 16 vessels (10 of which have already been delivered), last December FMM was awarded a multi-billion dollar order for the construction of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSC) to be delivered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales programme.

“The Navy’s Guided-Missile Frigate (FFG(X)) will be an important part of our future fleet,” said Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday. “FFG(X) is the evolution of the Navy’s Small Surface Combatant with increased lethality, survivability, and improved capability to support the National Defence Strategy across the full range of military operations. It will help us conduct distributed maritime operations more effectively and improve our ability to fight both in contested blue-water and littoral environments.”

Multi-mission Capability

The FFG(X) will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically, FFG(X) will include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) radar, Baseline Ten (BL10) AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), communications systems, MK 57 Gun Weapon System (GWS) countermeasures and added capability in the EW/IO area with design flexibility for future growth.

“I am very proud of the hard work from the requirements, acquisition, and shipbuilder teams that participated in the full and open competition, enabling the Navy to make this important decision today,” said James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. “Throughout this process, the government team and our industry partners have all executed with a sense of urgency and discipline, delivering this contract award three months ahead of schedule. The team’s intense focus on cost, acquisition, and technical rigour, enabled the government to deliver the best value for our taxpayers as we deliver a highly capable next generation Frigate to our warfighters.”

The acquisition process for FFG(X) began in 2017. Since then, the Navy has worked closely with industry to balance cost and capability. This approach was successful in achieving an Average Follow ship cost across ships 2 – 20 that is below the objective set in the CDD and aligns to the National Defense Strategy’s stated goal of achieving a lethal, resilient, and agile force by pursuing acquisition strategies to build ships more quickly and affordably. For example, because the frigate acquisition programme promoted shipbuilding competition, included early industry involvement, and open communication between all stakeholders, it was able to accelerate almost six years as compared to normal shipbuilding programmes.

The Navy released the FFG(X) DD&C Request for Proposals to industry on June 20 last year. Technical proposals were received in August 2019, and cost proposals were received in September 2019. This was a full and open competition with multiple offers received.

Cutting-edge Technology

Thanks to the support of the Italian government and to the rigorous organisational model based on a strong manufacturing tradition and culture, Fincantieri has succeeded in a competition among several major U.S. shipyards. The Group’s proposal is based on the FREMM frigate platform, globally recognised as technologically advanced and the base of a 10-unit programme awarded to Fincantieri for the Italian Navy – the last vessel is currently under construction.

Fincantieri is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all shipbuilding industry sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega yachts, as well as in ship repairs and conversions, production of systems and mechanical and electrical component equipment, cruise ship interiors solutions, electronic systems and software, infrastructures and maritime constructions as well as after-sales services.

The Group has 20 shipyards in four continents. It has among its clients the world’s major cruise operators, the Italian and the U.S. Navy, in addition to several foreign navies, and it is a partner of some of the main European defence companies within supranational programmes.

Reference Text/Photo:

www.fincantieri.com

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