The U.S. Navy has issued a draft Request for Proposals for a new guided missile frigate, being acquired through the FFG(X) competition. The service plans to buy a total of 20 ships, and the draft solicitation outlines the construction schedule for the first 10 ships in the class. The lead ship would be delivered 72 months after a contract is awarded. The contract will include an option for an additional nine ships. A final RFP will be released later this year, with a contract award planned in 2020.
The Navy hopes the ships will cost around $800 million each, though the lead ship will be more expensive.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Austal USA, Lockheed Martin, Fincantieri Marine, and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works are working on designs for the competition.
Shaun's deep-rooted interest in military equipment continues in his role as a senior defense analyst with a focus on the United States. He played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, an interactive online product that tracks Pentagon acquisition programs throughout the congressional budget process. As editor of International Military Markets – North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. He is a regular contributor to Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor blog and has co-authored white papers on global defense spending and various military programs.
