Source: United States Navy
Description
The Constellation-Class Guided-Missile Frigate (FFG 62) represents the Navy’s next generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship, capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea.
Features
FFG 62 will be fielded with multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electromagnetic maneuver warfare. These capabilities include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR), Baseline Ten (BL10) Aegis Combat System, an Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, communications systems, countermeasures and added capability in the electronic warfare/information operations area with design flexibility for future growth.
Background
On April 30, 2020, the Navy awarded the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) contract for 10 ships (one base-year ship and nine option ships) and obligated funding for FFG 62 to Marinette Marine Corporation (also known as Fincantieri Marinette Marine) in Marinette, Wisconsin. The contract was awarded through a full and open competition with multiple offers received.
The Future USS Constellation (FFG 62), the lead ship of the class, began construction in September 2022. The program continues to conduct Early Integration Testing of the combat system, primary propulsion equipment and associated networks.
General Characteristics
Builder: Marinette Marine Corporation
Length: 496.1 feet
Beam: 64.6 feet
Displacement: 7,291 WT(lt)
Draft: 18 feet
Ships:
Constellation (FFG 62) under construction
Congress (FFG 63) under contract
Chesapeake (FFG 64) under contract
Lafayette (FFG 65) under contract