The Constellation-class frigate program, which is expected to form the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s future naval force, is facing a deep crisis. The USS Constellation, whose tender was completed in 2020 and construction began at Fincantieri Marine Group’s Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, has reportedly made only 10% progress after more than two years. According to Defense News, this situation highlights how far the program has fallen from its ambitious goals at the beginning.
FREMM Dream Turns Into Nightmare: Radical Change in Design
The US Navy had planned to take the basic design of the new generation frigates under the FFG(X) program from the proven FREMM class ships, which are jointly produced by Italy and France. The main aim at the beginning of the program was to establish a cost-effective and rapid production process by making minimal (15%) changes to an existing design. However, the exact opposite of this ideal situation is being experienced at this point. According to the statements made, only 15% of the current design of the Constellation class ships remains in common with the FREMM class; the remaining 85% is being completely redesigned according to the unique needs of the US Navy. This radical change overturns the basic assumptions of the project, paving the way for serious delays and cost increases.
Design Revisions Trigger Performance Concerns
According to The War Zone, Fincantieri Vice President Mark Vandroff stated at the Sea Air Space 2025 fair that they had been in intense interaction with the Navy during the design process and that the final functional design would be completed in the summer of 2025. This delay reveals the seriousness of the fact that the basic design has not yet been finalized, despite five years having passed since the start of construction of the ship.
These extensive design changes result in a significant increase in both the physical size and displacement of the Constellation-class frigates. This new design, which is larger than the FREMM class, raises serious concerns about critical performance parameters such as the ship’s range, speed and maneuverability. Navy experts warn that such a departure from a basic design could lead to unforeseen technical problems and operational vulnerabilities.
Delivery Dates Are Extending, Costs Are Spiraling Out of Control
The US Navy’s planned delivery date for the first ship, the USS Constellation, in 2026 has already been pushed back to 2029. This three-year delay clearly shows how much of a deadlock the program is in terms of schedule. What’s even more worrying is the dramatic increase in the ship’s unit cost. Originally targeted at $1 billion, the unit cost has now risen to around $1,4 billion. This 40% cost increase suggests that the program has completely lost its budget discipline and is likely to increase even more in the future.
The U.S. Navy has initially ordered six ships of this class, but plans are to increase this number to at least 6 in the future. If current design and construction issues are not resolved, this goal could be jeopardized and the Navy's future naval power projections could be severely compromised.
Labor Crisis Hinders Production
According to The War Zone, one of the major reasons for the delays in the Constellation program is the chronic labor shortage in the US shipbuilding industry. There is a serious shortage of human resources in critical areas such as welders, steel workers, ship fitters and electricians. Fincantieri officials state that they have made the necessary infrastructure investments at the Marinette Marine shipyard and have reached a production capacity of two ships per year. However, the aforementioned lack of qualified labor prevents the full use of this potential capacity and slows down the construction process. This situation stands out as a structural problem that threatens not only the Constellation program but also the US naval power construction in general.
Future of the Program Becomes Uncertain: Are Alternative Searches Beginning?
The statements made by Rob Wittman, Vice Chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the US House of Representatives, regarding the future of the program once again reveal the seriousness of the situation. Wittman stated, “Initially, we were going to take 85% of the FREMM design and make only 15% changes. However, the situation has completely reversed. As it is, the program has gotten out of control in terms of cost and schedule,” and he summarized the point the project has reached in a striking way.
Wittman emphasized that the Navy must either quickly recover and get the project back on track or take an alternative path before it is too late. These statements also signal that Congress is deeply concerned about the current course of the program and is looking for a possible alternative plan. This deep crisis in the Constellation-class frigate program, which is expected to form the basis of the U.S. Navy’s future naval power, indicates that it has entered a turning point that could have serious consequences in terms of both budget and strategic goals. If rapid and effective solutions are not found, the U.S. Navy’s effectiveness and deterrence at sea could be significantly weakened in the coming years.
