Source: United States Navy
The USS Chesapeake is the third ship in the class and has been awarded to shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) after a successful completion of the class Critical Design Review milestone. The program also recently successfully completed the Critical Design Review milestone in May, and is proceeding to Production Readiness Review and start of production for the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG 62).
On April 30, 2020, FMM was awarded the contract for the design, construction and delivery of the first 10 FFG 62 class ships. The Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate (FFG 62) will be a highly capable and survivable multi-mission platform designed for operations in blue water and the littoral environments. The frigates are designed to operate independently or as part of Carrier/Expeditionary Strike Group or a Surface Action Group, and are manned and equipped for Navy Composite Warfare and Joint Maritime Operations. The Constellation Class has the multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare and information operations. Specifically, FFG ships include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) radar, Baseline Ten (BL10) AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), communications systems, MK 110 57mm Gun Weapon System (GWS) and added capability in the Electronic Warfare/Information Operations area with design flexibility for future growth. The frigates will also conduct offensive and defensive Anti-Submarine Warfare.
The Secretary of the Navy named the first three ships in the class USS CONSTELLATION (FFG 62), USS CONGRESS (FFG 63) and USS CHESAPEAKE (FFG 64). These names honor the original heavy frigates that our nation started to build in 1794. The FFG 62 Constellation Class Frigate continues our nation’s 200 year tradition of building frigates.