In a scene reminiscent of the film “Groundhog Day,” the U.S. Navy has canceled the Constellation-class frigate program, with only the first two ships, which are already under construction, scheduled for completion.
The program was terminated due to production delays, escalating costs, and design challenges stemming from adapting a foreign design to meet U.S. requirements. The funds from the canceled frigates will be reallocated to other ships that can be produced more quickly.
The Constellation-class frigate program was intended to be a “low-risk” approach, basically a slam-dunk to building a new frigate, but it underwent significant changes to its Italian FREMM-based design, making it heavier, more expensive, and less aligned with its original blueprints.
I’m pretty sure that’s just the inevitable consequence of decades of under-regulated capitalism and cronyism letting the arms dealers set their own prices and conditions.
Personally, I consider the most bloated military in the history of the world not being able to expand or even replace its flotilla a huge win though, regardless of the reasons 🤷