The US Department of Defense (DOD) has confirmed that the US Navy is exercising an option to have Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) built the second Constellation-class guided missile frigate.
FMM is currently working on the detailed design phase of building lead ship USS Constellation. Construction will start at the end of this year while delivery is scheduled for 2026.
The Constellation-class frigate program was awarded to FMM in 2020, through a contract for the first-in-class frigate and the options for a further nine ships, as well as post-delivery availability support and crew training, with a cumulative value for Fincantieri amounting to US$5.5 billion.
The US Navy plans to build 10 additional vessels as part of the program, for a total of 20.
