Page 21: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2021)

es of DEs and FFs. Each new class brought something new to and-true combat systems and weapons. The current program the ? eet, but they were not totally transformational. This ap- of record is for 20 ships, although it could be more. The cur- proach was taken with the introduction of the Garcia, Brooke, rent contractor, Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) of Mari-

Knox and Oliver Hazard Perry classes of FFs and FFGs. nette, Wisc., has been awarded a detail design and construc-

The same cannot be said for the littoral combat ship (LCS) tion (DD&C) for up to 10 ships in the program—the lead ship and Zumwalt class of DDGs, which are technologically and plus nine option ships, although a contract could be awarded conceptually different in just about every way. With LCS, the to a second yard to get more ships into the ? eet sooner.

Navy selected not one but two totally different designs, with FMM’s yard is currently optimized to build LCS, which it different hull, mechanical, electrical and combat systems. does for prime contractor Lockheed Martin. It will build four

While it’s important to embrace the most modern technology additional multi-mission surface combatant hulls of a similar to stay ahead of potential adversaries, it can lead to signi? - design for the Royal Saudi Navy, and possibly one for the Hel- cant delays and costs in trying to introduce too much too fast. lenic Navy. But it has now turned its attention to recon? guring

Placing new systems on top of the legacy ? eet infrastructure the production facilities to build the larger FFGs.

complicates logistics, training and sustainment. FMM is making capital investments to its infrastructure, in-

For battle group commanders, frigates might have been less cluding a new or upgraded automated panel line; preparation capable, but not less valuable, because they could do missions and blast paint facility; construction facility for modules and that were more appropriate for a smaller ship, and call at ports grand modules; and a ? nal hull erection and out? tting facility. that larger ships couldn’t enter. The yard at Marinette has traditional launch ships sideways

Now the frigates are coming back. The Navy has embarked into the Menominee River, but is procuring a new shiplift. on a new program to build the Constellation (FFG 62) class of Ships at land level are moved onto the shiplift, which then guided missile frigates. To reduce risk to budget and schedule, submerges so the ships can ? oat free.

it will be built on an existing hull design and armed with tried- FMM’s Bay Shipyard at Sturgeon Bay is also getting a steel www.marinelink.com 21

MR #11 (18-33).indd 21 11/5/2021 2:48:33 PM