MARINETTE (NBC 26) — The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that Fincantieri Marinette Marine is on contract to build a third Constellation-class Frigate, the future USS Chesapeake.
This announcement follows last month’s successful critical design review of the first-in-class FFG-62, which is nearing the start of construction. The value of this contract option is approximately $536 million.
According to a statement from the company, Fincantieri Marinette Marine received the initial frigate contract in April 2020 for the lead ship and nine additional options. Last year the Navy exercised the first option, giving FMM the opportunity to build the second ship, FFG-63, the future USS Congress. The initial FFG contract was valued at $5.5 billion, if all options are exercised.
Fincantieri is nearly complete with its $300 million construction and renovation project aimed at enabling the construction of two frigates each year. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in Marinette last month for the dedication of one of the newest buildings in the shipyard, the massive ‘Building 34’, where two 500-ft. ships can be erected and finished side-by-side in a climate-controlled environment.
All of the Fincantieri shipyards in Wisconsin are hiring, and the company unveiled a new paid apprenticeship program last week. For more information on available jobs and apprenticeships, please visit www.fincantierimarinegroup.com/careers.
