Fincantieri to Adapt FREMM Frigate for U.S. Navy

Fincantieri Marine Group announced further details on its plans to adapt its “Best-in-Class” FREMM frigate, already in service for the Italian Navy since 2012, to design the U.S. Navy’s new guided-missile frigate, FFG(X).

Fincantieri will lead an experienced industry team, including Gibbs & Cox and Trident Maritime Systems, to design and build these multi-mission ships capable of conducting anti-surface, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare and air defense operations.

As design partners, Gibbs & Cox, will leverage their experience modifying proven hull, mechanical and electrical systems to U.S. Navy standards. Trident Maritime Systems will serve as the Electric and Propulsion System Integrator with responsibility to design, specify and integrate these ship systems and components.

“We’ve assembled a world-class team of partners to customize to American design standards and deliver an advanced, flexible and highly reliable ship to the U.S. Navy for their current and future needs,” said Francesco Valente, president and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “Our American shipyards are tailor-made for building small surface combatants and we have a strong, established and reliable U.S. supply chain.” 

The Fincantieri FFG(X) design is based on FREMM, the most capable and modern off-the-shelf frigate available in the world for the range of capabilities required by the U.S. Navy. Fincantieri is building 10 FREMMs for the Italian Navy, six of which have been delivered and have already accumulated 30,000 hours and 200,000 nautical miles in real-world operations.

The Fincantieri-led team would construct the FFG(X) ships at its American shipyards, including Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin, which was modernized for serial production in order to build the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship.