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US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and industry partners have celebrated the keel laying for the US Navy’s first Constellation Class frigates.
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The keel laying marks a major milestone for the US Navy’s distributed surface combatant fleet, with the first of the Constellation Class, the USS Constellation, expected to be in service with the fleet by 2026.
US Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti explained the importance of the Constellation and her future sister ships, saying, “This ship will be critical in putting more players on the field. The Constellation Class frigate, named after the USS Constellation – the first of six frigates authorised by the Naval Act of 1794 and the first in-class designed and built by American workers – will ensure the free flow of American commerce by sea.”
The Constellation Class of Guided-Missile Frigate (FFG) represents the Navy’s next-generation small surface combatant, providing the US Navy with an agile, multi-mission warship, capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea.
US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said, “Today is a special day for our fleet and, indeed, our nation, as we take the next step in the construction of the future USS Constellation (FFG 62) with this keel-laying ceremony.
“Finally, to our industry partners, led by Fincantieri, and to our sailors here at the shipyard, thank you. Thank you for the work you are about to embark on to bring this ship to life, adding another capable, lethal platform to our fleet. USS Constellation and the Constellation Class frigates are a critical next step in the modernisation of our surface ship inventory, increasing the number of ‘players on the field’ available globally for our fleet and combatant commanders,” Secretary Del Toro explained.
During his remarks, Secretary Del Toro thanked Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for his leadership, pointing out that the state’s shipbuilding industry was integral to the national maritime statecraft efforts to rebuild commercial and naval power.
Secretary Del Toro also thanked the US Navy’s industry partners, namely Fincantieri, the lead designer and shipbuilder responsible for the Constellation Class of frigates, using it as an opportunity to stress his recent push for a reinvigorated partnership between the US Navy and both domestic and international shipbuilding to enhance and expand the US national shipbuilding base.
“When I called for a reimagining of our national approach to maritime statecraft, centred around rebuilding our commercial and naval power, I highlighted the need for men and women across our country to become more involved in our shipbuilding industry ... It takes a nation to build a navy, and the collaboration between industry and our department that is on display at this shipyard symbolises the teamwork required to do so,” Secretary Del Toro added.
