The U.S. Navy has announced plans to move forward with a new frigate program based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutter design, following last month’s decision to scale back the Constellation-class frigate program at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. Navy leaders say the new frigate, known as FF(X), will rely on an existing American-built design to speed production and expand fleet capacity. While the Navy plans to base the new class on a design built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding, officials confirmed that Fincantieri Marinette Marine will continue building the first two Constellation-class frigates, allowing the Marinette shipyard to maintain its workforce.  U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized the decision, saying Wisconsin workers have a proven track record of building world-class naval vessels and warning the move could undercut thousands of skilled jobs.  Baldwin called on the Navy to honor its commitments to Wisconsin shipyards and ensure future frigate construction includes work in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay.  Why this matters here; Shipbuilding in Marinette supports generations of skilled workers, local suppliers, and families across northeast Wisconsin. Continued work at Fincantieri helps keep those jobs and that expertise right here at home.  The Navy says the new frigate design could enter the water as early as 2028.

Meanwhile, work at the local shipyard continues. Fincantieri Marinette Marine  in partnership with Lockheed Martin, launched the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant at the Marinette shipyard Saturday Dec. 13. The MMSC is based on the U.S. Navy’s  Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship.  FMM employees, and representatives from Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy and the Royal Saudi Navy were there to mark this monumental occasion.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine is currently constructing three follow-on MMSCs for Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy.