Navy Eyes Hiring Two Shipyards To Build Its New Frigates As It Tries To Speed Up Procurement
Concern over the stability of America’s shipbuilding industrial base is one major factor driving the plan.
Concern over the stability of America’s shipbuilding industrial base is one major factor driving the plan.
The FFG(X) competition is heating up and proven foreign designs are being remodeled into very promising U.S. Navy-specific configurations. Fincantieri FREMM frigate, in particular, is a proven and highly adaptable design that seems to check all the Navy’s boxes.
The requirements have expanded, but the service is pushing for commonality with existing systems to push the price point down.
The service says a mix of less capable ships that are cheaper to operate might be better for future, distributed operations.