SAC: Proof before 2nd CCF award

WASHINGTON: The Senate Appropriations Committee, overseeing the Navy’s budget, isn't sure how quickly the service may move to award a second shipyard contract for the Constellation-class frigate (CCF). The SAC wants the Navy to show in writing what its done to reduce “unneeded risk” prior to a deal. It's the latest bump-in-the-road from the Navy’s eagerness to push the ship forward; and lawmakers’ concerns of remaking mistakes from its predecessor programs. The committee is queasy on adding a second CCF shipyard before the first (Fincantieri Marinette Marine) has ID'd and corrected technical and production issues, according to SAC's report. Francantieri was selected to build the first handful of Next-Gen frigates, but lawmakers and those in the industry have been waiting for hints from the Navy about a potential second production contract. The service made it a requirement in its FFG(X) proposal that industry be able to provide a technical data package for the government to ultimately hand off to another company. Most signs point to the Navy moving forward with a second shipyard. Senators have directed SECNAV to prove the service has ironed out details of Constellation’s lead ship. The committee’s bill directs Navy to “prioritize" objectives: Technology maturation and risk reduction for critical shipboard components; major systems integration; full ship technical data package creation; and successful operationally realistic testing for the first ship.” Constellation class is still a relatively young program with its first ship not scheduled to join the fleet until 2025, but if the Navy does seek a second yard, most eyes will be on four companies in particular: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Huntington Ingalls Industries (Miss.), Lockheed Martin and Austal USA (south Ala.). Those four shipyards were ultimately beaten by Fincantieri during the original FFG(X) competition. Senate Committee Warns Navy Against 'Unneeded Risk' In Second Frigate Shipyard - Breaking Defense Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary