Navy squeezing out FFG(X) costs

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy says it may have squeezed about $150M in cost savings as it closes in on final requirements for a planned class of next-generation frigates (FFG(X)). In 2018, the Navy told Congress that the upper-end cost for the second and beyond ships would be about $950M. The Navy is now saying that figure could be closer to $800M. Last year, the Navy awarded five shipyards with contracts for conceptual design work that would allow them time to tighten up designs based on more mature parent designs of warships currently in production and to help the Navy refine its requirements. Austal USA of Mobile, Ala.; Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Fincantieri Marine and Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss., were each awarded $15M contracts for the work. The Navy recently approved the Capability Development Document (CDD) solidifying the requirements for FFG(X). CDD is now awaiting Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approval. Navy is set to issue a final design and construction Request For Proposals in the latter part of 2019; and award make a final pick for the 20-ship program in 2020. (Source: USNI News 01/22/19)