Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2021)

The Workboat Edition

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Eye on the Navy processing and fabrication facility to be able to work on naval Muggiano shipyard at La Spezia, Italy. vessels, and will perform FGG 62 work in a new module/su- Although the parent design is European, FFG 62 will have per construction and hull erection facility. signi? cant American content, to include a government fur-

Just about all of the hardware and software is proven tech- nished combat system centered around the new SPY 6 radar nology, so risk should be reduced. Unlike the two variants of and newest baseline of the Aegis Combat System and other

LCS, which had new propulsion systems, the frigate will be U.S. sensors and systems. based on a proven design, albeit modi? ed for more American The U.S. frigate will be about 23 feet longer and about 500 content. However, Congress has directed the Navy to make tons heavier than their European cousins to provide margin sure it works by establishing a land-based test site and vali- for growth and to accommodate future weapons such as la- date the design. sers, although the bridge and propulsion plant layout is the

According to the CRS report, “Under the DD&C contract, same. It will be equipped with a 32-cell, strike-length MK 41 the Navy has the option of recompeting the program after the vertical launch system (VLS) launcher and armed with Stan- lead ship (if none of the nine option ships are exercised), after dard Missiles, Naval Strike Missile capable and Evolved Sea- the 10th ship (if all nine of the option ships are exercised), or Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block II; a Mk110 57mm main gun, somewhere in between (if some but not all of the nine option and have the RAM close-in system for point defense. It will ships are exercised).” have a ? ight deck and hangar for MH-60R helicopters. It will have essentially the same anti-air and anti-submarine warfare

Parental guidance advised capability as the newest Flight III DDGs.

To reduce risk, the FFG 62 is based upon a “parent design,” Speaking at the Surface Navy Association’s annual sym- the Italian-French FREMM (Fregata Europea Multi-Missio- posium earlier this year, FFG program manager Capt. Kevin ne) frigate, a ship that is being been built in in France and Smith said, “We have ample margin for this hull form. We

Italy for their respective navies and a few foreign customers. also have in our requirement space, weight, power and cool-

FMM’s parent company, Fincantieri builds the ships at their ing margin to accommodate upgrades down the road over the

ITS Carabinieri (F 590) while under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in L Spezia, Italy.

Edward Lundquist 22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2021

MR #11 (18-33).indd 22 11/4/2021 9:42:31 AM

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First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.