Constellation-Class Frigate: How a “Low-Risk” Dream Became a Billion-Dollar Lesson скачать в хорошем качестве

Constellation-Class Frigate: How a “Low-Risk” Dream Became a Billion-Dollar Lesson

Imagine a new warship that’s supposed to “redeem” the biggest navy in the world. A ship built to fix everything that went wrong with LCS and Zumwalt. Less risk. Proven design. Cheaper. Easier to build in numbers, like cars rolling off a factory line. That was the promise behind the Constellation-class frigate, also known as the FFG(X) program. On paper, it looked like the perfect answer: take the proven FREMM design from Italy and France, adapt it to US Navy requirements, and avoid another over-ambitious science project. The plan was for at least 20 ships, filling the gap between Arleigh Burke destroyers and the troubled LCS – a “mid-tier workhorse” for escort, anti-submarine warfare, and sea control. In this video, we walk through what the Constellation-class was supposed to be: a heavy, 7,000+ ton frigate with SPY-6 radar, Aegis Baseline 10, 32 Mk 41 VLS cells, around 16 Naval Strike Missiles, and a full aviation package with MH-60R and MQ-8C. On the surface, it really did look like the US Navy’s dream frigate. Then we shift to the money. We break down the rough cost framework: – First ship in the $1.3–1.4 billion range – Follow-on ships still around $850–950 million each – An original program target of 20+ billion dollars if all 20 hulls had gone ahead From there, the story turns. We look at how a “low-risk” design morphed into something that was almost a new ship: massive redesign, commonality with the original FREMM dropping to around 15%, weight growth above 10%, design instability, and the decision to start cutting steel while the design was still changing. Delays piled up, costs climbed, and in the end the US Navy cut the program back to just two ships, cancelling the rest. Finally, we zoom out and ask: what does this mean for smaller navies and countries with limited budgets? We talk about requirement discipline, the danger of over-customisation, and why “low risk” only stays low if you resist the urge to stuff everything into one hull. If you enjoy deep dives into defence programs – not just the brochure specs, but the politics, money, and lessons learned – hit like, share the video, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Credit B-roll videos • Egyptian Navy receives the 2nd FREMM Bergamini-class Frigate - MENA MONITOR • FREMM - Leonardo • This is FREMM, this is Fincantieri Fincantieri - FincantieriChannel • Fincantieri FREMM Frigate - A Frigate For The Future Of Australia - FincantieriChannel • Fincantieri commitment for Australia’s shipbuilding future - FincantieriChannel (1080p, h264, youtube) • Fincantieri Marinette Marine awarded massive multi-million dollar U.S. Navy deal - WFRV Local 5 • Fincantieri’s FREMM Wins US Navy FFG(X) Frigate Competition - Part 1 FFG(X) in details - Naval News • Fincantieri’s FREMM Wins US Navy FFG(X) Frigate Competition - Part 2 Interview during SNA 2020 - Naval News • Fincantieri’s FREMM Wins US Navy FFG(X) Frigate Competition - Part 3 FMM Shipyard Expansion Plan - Naval News • Navy cancels Constellation-class frigate program, impacting shipbuilding in Marinette - WBAY TV-2 Green Bay, WI