US Navy has just stipulated a 795,1 million dollars contract with Marinette Marine Corporation of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) for the design and production of the class monitor unit included into the FFG(X) program, for the new missile-launching frigates.
After the delivery of the first 10 units, estabilished by the contract assigned to Marinette Marine, another tender notice will be made to complete the program, that have 20 naval units in view.
About the project
This success for Fincantieri, and its subsidiary in the USA, is adding up to another great outcome, that is the multirole frigates FREMM project.
The call for bids involved the big American shipyards Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works with the Spanish project Navantia F100 and the Austal USA shipyard, based on the LCS class Independence.
The design and construction program for the new FFG(X) establish a delivery date for the class monitor unit for July, 2026, whereas the second class unit will be assigned after another year, and delivered after 5 years and half.
“The FFG(X) units will be an essential part of our future fleet” said the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday. This unit “will help us to lead maritime operation in a more effective way, improving our capability of fight, both on sea and in contended coastal environments” he added.
FFG(X) features
The FFG(X) units will feature a new generation and multifunctional radar with three sides for the electronic active scan EASR (Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar), an AEGIS Baseline Ten (block 10) combat system, a Mk 41 (VLS) launch vertical system, a point RAM defence system, a 57 mm Mk 57 Gun Weapon System G(WS) cannon, communication system and abilities for electronic and information wars.
A great teamwork
“I’m very proud of the efforts made by the different teams which partecipated at the bid” said the Assistant Secretary of the Navy James Geurts. “During all the process, the government team and our industry partner partecipated with a professional and disciplined behaviour, that allowed the assignation of the contract three months earlier“.
The acquisition process of the FFG(X) frigates started in 2017, and since that moment the US Navy worked close with the industry for the cost and capability definition.
This program also promoted the competition into the naval construction sector, including an involvement of the industry and an open communication between all the interested stakeholder. In this way was possible to anticipate of 6 six years the normal construction naval programs.
The Navy emanated the request propose for the FFG(X) program to the industry in July 20th, 2019. “It was an open competition with a complete range of offers” said the US Navy, commenting the contract assignement announcement.
