USS Constellation (FFG-62)

History of the USS Constellation (FFG-62)

The French-Italian multirole guided missile frigate of the joint venture FREMM forms the basis for the Constellation class that will soon serve the United States Navy (USN). The multipurpose warship is already in service with the navies of France, Italy, Egypt and Morocco, and has also been ordered from Indonesia.

The Constellation class is detailed as a subclass of the FREMM project that meets the USN's FFG(X) program requirements.

In mid-2017, the US Navy became interested in foreign designs. Italian FREMM warship Alpino became a sales vehicle for U.S. naval authorities when it visited the East Coast in mid-2018. In April 2020, the U.S. Navy officially announced Italy-based Fincantieri as the winner of the FFG(X) program and awarded the company a $795 million contract for the U.S. vessel to operate at Fincantieri in Marinette, Wisconsin, U.S. Marine Build.

Three marks the first instalment in the Constellation-class series, with options for nine additional ships for a total of $5. $5 billion final investment.

In addition to the main ship USS Constellation (FFG-62), the other two named ships in the series are USS Congress (FFG-63) and USS Chesapeake (FFG-64). All will emphasize anti-submarine warfare (as opposed to air defense/airspace deterrence) and will be based on the Italian FREMM standard known locally as the Bergamini class (French ships belong to the Aquitane class).

These three ships bear the names of three of the first frigates built for the U.S. Navy - all three of the 38-gun sailing type. The other frigates became USS Constitution, USS President, and USS America.

The USS Constellation is designed to operate using a CODLAG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas) propulsion scheme containing a modified form of the standard (and proven) CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) unit - the basic concept is based on what is required Actions (sprint, cruise) maximize fuel efficiency. Hull dimensions include a barrel length of 496 feet, a beam of 65 feet, and a draft of 26 feet.

The top speed is 26 knots when falling and 16 knots when cruising. The range is up to 6000 nautical miles.

There will be approximately 200 crew members on board and will carry 2 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB). The installed system is said to be based on the powerful AEGIS series COMBATSS-21 Combat Management System (CMS).

It will also include the AN/SPY-6(V)3 Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR), the AN/SPS-73(V)18 Next Generation Surface Search Radar, the AN/SLQ-61 towed sonar array and the AN/SPS- 73(V)18 goes into the AN/SQS-62 series of deep sonar units.

Armament consists of a 57mm Mk 110 deck gun and turret, a 32 cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), a 21 cell Mk 49 Missile Launch System (GMLS) and 2 x 4 cells or 4 x 4 - Cell anti-ship missile launcher. 7. A 62mm machine gun will be installed for pole defense work. The ship's silhouette will follow established Italian design standards: the foredeck is largely free to accommodate deck guns and turrets, while also accommodating the VLS kit. The bridge superstructure is located above and aft of the forecastle and integrates its main mast. The structure slopes towards the midship, at which point the anti-ship missile launchers are located forward of the flat, closed smoke compartment.

The funnel itself is integrated into the helicopter's hangar deck, which leads to the stern area. This aft fuselage section will support the launch and recovery of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and the MQ-8C Fire Scout rotor unmanned aerial system (UAS).

The US Navy does not currently use any dedicated frigates in its inventory - it relies on a combination of destroyers and, to some extent, the Liberty and Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). In the latter, the hull is not a dedicated missile platform, but is designed to operate in a near-shore environment ("shore"), with characteristics more similar to a frigate.

At the time of writing (November 2021), the keel laying date of the USS Constellation and its named sisters is not known.

Specification

Foundation

Year of Service

2030

Origins

United States

Status

In draft

Preparations begin.

supplement

200

staff

SHIPBUILDER

Marinette Marine (Fincantieri) - USA/Italy

Class information

Class

Constellation

Class Size

3

ships

Class

USS Constellation (FFG-62); US Congress (FFG-63); USS Chesapeake (FFG-64)

Operators

United States

Characters

Sea Bombing

Maritime bombardment/attack of surface targets/areas primarily through ship-based ballistic weapons.

Land Assault

Littoral attacks against surface targets primarily through ship-based missiles/missile weapons.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Airspace Denial/Deterrence

Neutralization or deterrence of flying elements by airborne missile weapon ballistics.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Distinctive Features

Air Defense

Airborne systems warn and protect ships from airborne and low-altitude ballistic and/or missile threats.

On the horizon

The ship is granted over-the-horizon combat capability, usually provided by a launched fixed-wing/rotary-wing aircraft.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

496. 0 feet

151.18m

Ray

65.0 feet

19.81m

Draft

26. 0 feet

7.92m

Shift

7,400 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

CODLAG arrangement (combined diesel-electric-or-gas) propulsion on 2 axles under the stern.

Surface Velocity

section 26.5

(30.5 km/h)

Area

5,996nm

(6,900 miles | 11,104 km)

Weapons

1 x 57 mm Mk 110 deck gun with turret. 1 x 32 cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), armed with RIM-66, RIM-162 or RIM-174 Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). 1 x 21 cell Mk 49 Guided Missile Launch System (GMLS) and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). 2 to 4 7.62mm M240 GPMG or M2 HMG.

Aircraft

1 or 2 x Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk Anti-Submarine Helicopter (ASW). 1 x Northrop Grumman MQ-8C "Firescout" Helicopter UAS.