SECNAV 'confident' of FFG(X) cost

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer told the House Armed Services Committee on April 10 that he was "pretty confident" the new future frigate (FFG(X)) will stay at its current estimated cost; and after an industrial learning curve build would diminish. The frigate competition has five platforms, “which makes this probably one of the most competitive platform acquisition programs,” said SECNAV. “We look at the learning curves on those hulls that are already out there and they’re already impressive.” The Navy expects the initial vessel to cost up to $950M, but follow-on ships to cost about $800M apiece without decreased capability or capacity, he said. SECNAV anticipates the Navy will award the detail design and construction (DD&C) contract that will covered the first 10 of a total of 20 frigates by the end of FY 2020. When adding the 11 planned vessels outside the FYDP, the Navy plans to spend $20.5B for all 20 frigates. (Source: Defense Daily 04/10/19) Gulf Coast Note: The five ship conceptual design platforms were contracted to shipbuilders Austal USA of Mobile, Ala., Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Fincantieri Marine, and Huntington Ingalls Industries of Pascagoula, Miss.