Navy: First Constellation Frigate Will Start Fabrication This Year as Shipyard Expands

Rendering of USS Constellation (FFG-62). Fincantieri Image

The first hull in a new Navy ship class in more than a decade is set to start construction later this year, the service’s program manager said this week.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine plans to start fabrication of the future USS Constellation (FFG-62) in late summer or early fall following the completion of the final design review of the plans for the ship, Capt. Kevin Smith, who oversees the program for the Navy, said on Tuesday. The ship...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/15/navy-first-constellation-frigate-will-start-fabrication-this-year-as-shipyard-expands

CBO Says Navy Underestimated Cost of First Frigate by 40 Percent

Italian FREMM, the basis for the FFG-62 program. Fincantieri Marine Group Image

The lead ship in the Navy’s next-generation frigate class could cost $1.6 billion, a figure that is 40 percent above the service’s projections for the first-in-class vessel, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

A new report from CBO approximates the cost for the first 10 ships in the FFG-62 program, formerly FFG(X), at $12.3 billion.

“Using three other surface combatants—the Arleigh Burke Flight III, the...

https://news.usni.org/2020/10/14/cbo-says-navy-underestimated-cost-of-first-frigate-by-40-percent

VIDEO: Navy’s 245th Birthday Message

The following are messages from Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday on the service’s 245th birthday.

The following is Gilday’s NAVADMIN message celebrating the Navy’s birthday.

UNCLASSIFIED/
ROUTINE
R 081218Z OCT 20 MID200000213915U
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 274/20
MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/CNO/
SUBJ/CNO BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO THE FLEET/

1. Shipmates, this year we are celebrating our 245th...

https://news.usni.org/2020/10/13/video-navys-245th-birthday-message

Vice Adm. Franchetti Nominated for Joint Staff Role After Brief Time at N7

U.S. 6th Fleet Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti renders honors as she passes through sideboys during the 6th Fleet change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy on July 1, 2020. US Navy Photo

After less than two months on the job, the head of the Navy’s warfighting development office has been nominated for a new role on the Joint Staff, USNI News has learned.

Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti was nominated on Thursday to head the J5 Strategic Plans and Policy office, according to a Pentagon...

https://news.usni.org/2020/09/11/vice-adm-franchetti-nominated-for-joint-staff-role-after-brief-time-at-n7

Bath Iron Works Strikers, Shipyard Reach Tentative Deal

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard in 2018. BIW Photo

After partaking in mediation proceedings the last few weeks, striking shipbuilders at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the shipyard have come to a preliminary agreement to return to work.

BIW and the local union chapter each announced the deal over the weekend.

“This process was emotional, difficult, and frustrating for both parties. Being able to reach a tentative agreement to bring back to our membership that keeps our...

https://news.usni.org/2020/08/10/bath-iron-works-strikers-shipyard-reach-tentative-deal

SECNAV Braithwaite’s First Message to the Department of the Navy

The following is the first message to the Department of the Navy from Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite.

To Sailors, Marines, and all men and women of the Department of the Navy serving across this great world: Today marks the honor of my life, taking the oath of office to become the 77th but more importantly…Your Secretary of the Navy.

I am incredibly humbled to stand before You, the greatest Navy and Marine Corps in the world to accept this responsibility. For nearly 35 years, I like...

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/29/secnav-braithwaites-first-message-to-the-department-of-the-navy

Kenneth Braithwaite Sworn in as Secretary of the Navy

Kenneth Braithwaite, U.S. ambassador to Norway, delivers remarks at a reception aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), in Oslo, Norway on June 25, 2018. US Navy Photo

Kenneth Braithwaite was sworn in as the newest secretary of the Navy during a private ceremony today at the Pentagon, capping what has been a tumultuous six months for the department’s leadership.

The Senate confirmed Braithwaite last week after he offered members of the Senate Armed...

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/29/kenneth-braithwaite-sworn-in-as-secretary-of-the-navy

Senate Confirms Kenneth Braithwaite to Serve as Next Navy Secretary

181115-N-AZ467-0162
OSLO, Norway (Nov. 15, 2018) Kenneth J. Braithwaite, the U.S. ambassador to Norway, arrives aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Nov. 15, 2018. Iwo Jima is currently in port in Oslo, Norway after participating in Trident Juncture 2018 which was a NATO-led exercise designed to certify NATO response forces and develop interoperability among participating NATO Allied and partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman...

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/21/senate-confirms-kenneth-braithwaite-to-serve-as-next-navy-secretary

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