US Navy orders new Constellation-class frigate to receive NSM, SM-2 Block IIIC and SM-6 missiles

Marinette Marine Corporation will build the new FFG 65 frigate for the US Navy. It will be the fourth Constellation-class ship.

Here's What We Know

The US company has been awarded a contract worth $526.29 million. Construction of the new frigate is due to be completed in December 2028. The US Navy intends to receive a total of 20 Constellation-class ships.

The multi-role frigates will carry guided missile weapons and will be able to operate as part of air strike groups. The ships will be 151 metres long and 19.8 metres wide respectively and have a maximum crew strength of 200.

The name of the fourth frigate is not specified. The first three Constellation-class ships are called USS Constellation (FFG-62), USS Congress (FFG-63) and USS Chesapeake (FFG-64). The former will be commissioned around 2026. The first steel cutting took place last summer at the Marinette shipyard in Wisconsin.

As for defensive armament? The frigates will be equipped with the Mk 41 vertical-launch system for SM-2 Block IIIC and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block II missiles. The Constellation-class ships will use Naval Strike Missile (NSM) missiles, torpedoes and the Mk 110 artillery system to attack.

Source: Pentagon