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.
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. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.
