Fincantieri with contract to build the fifth and sixth frigates of the Constellation type

Fincantieri receives a contract from the U.S. Navy to build the fifth and sixth frigates of Constellation.

The United States Department of Defense announced that Fincantieri's subsidiary, Fincantieri Marine (FMM), had received a contract worth over $1 billion to build the fifth and sixth Constellation frigate for the US Navy.

We are pleased to announce that #FincantieriMarinetteMarine (FMM), one of our American ships, and part of our U.S. subsidiary, #FincantieriMarineGroup (FMG), has been awarded a contract to build the fifth and sixth Constellation-class friends for the @USNavy.

The contract,... pic.twitter.com/fjCLDmeBKr
— Fincantieri (@Fincantieri) May 24, 2024

The base contract for a prototype frigate with an option of 9 additional units, signed in 2020, worth $5.5 billion also includes support in operation and crew training.

Fincantieri won this tender, distinguishing itself from several prestigious American shipyards thanks to a project considered the most innovative and modern. Fincantieri's proposal is based on a proven Italian FREMM platform.

Battle systems frigate Constellation

Raytheon Missiles & Defense EASR: A state-of-the-art air-space search radar that will give frigates an advantage in detecting, tracking and identifying targets.
Lockheed Martin Aegis Baseline 10: Advanced combat system, integrating all sensor and weapon systems, enabling effective response to threats from different domains.
Lockheed Martin Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launching System): Vertical launcher for anti-aircraft missiles, increasing the defense and impact capabilities of ships.
57 mm Mk 110 cannon with ALAMO programmable ammunition: Medium caliber cannon, effective in combating water and air targets.
Raytheon/Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace RGM-184A/NSM: Up to 16 long-range "surface-space" missiles, allowing precise impact on the enemy's strategic objectives.
Lockheed Martin AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire: Short-range "surface-to-surface" projectile launchers, effective in combating high-speed water targets.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense RIM-116 RAM with Mk 49 launcher: A rocket defense system that protects the ship from air threats, including anti-ship missiles and aircraft.

The construction of the first frigate, the future USS Constellation, is currently in a shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, which faces problems with delivery dates. FMM is also involved in the Littoral Combat Ships program for the US Navy and the Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSC) program for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the US Foreign Military Sales program.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz