Navantia and Bath Iron Works team for the US Navy Future Guided Missile Frigates
Navantia and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works have signed a teaming agreement to collaborate on the U.S. Navy’s next-generation FFG(X) Guided Missile Frigate, the company said in its press release. The partnership between Bath Iron Works, the designer and builder of some of the most advanced warships in the world, and Navantia, the world’s premier frigate designer, will provide the most capable and affordable light surface combatant for the US Navy.
Navantia’s brings expertise in frigate design and a successful track record of global exports. In order to ensure the program runs to cost and schedule, the U.S. Navy requires designs that are based on a parent-design already in service.
The teaming agreement will see Navantia and Bath Iron Works collaborate on designs evolved from Navantia’s family of AEGIS Frigates, which include the Norwegian F-310 and the Spanish F-100. The latest of this family of vessels, HMAS Hobart, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in September 2017.
The FFG(X) project will provide Combatant and Fleet Commanders a uniquely suitable asset to achieve select sea control objectives and perform maritime security operations while facilitating access in all domains in support of strike group and aggregated fleet operations. With an initial procurement plan of 20 units, the Detail Design and Construction award is planned to be in 2020.
