FMM tapped to build new frigate for US Navy

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) has been awarded a nearly US$800 million US Department of Defense contract to build the first vessel in a new class of guided-missile frigates for the US Navy with an option for nine additional ships.

The contract also covers post-delivery availability support, engineering and class services, crew familiarisation, training equipment, and provisioned item orders. According to the contract announcement, if all options are exercised, the cumulative value of the contract will be US$5.5 billion.

The first frigate will be a modified variant of Fincantieri’s FREMM multi-purpose frigate.