The USS Constellation, a cutting-edge guided-missile frigate under construction in a Wisconsin shipyard, is representative of the mounting challenges facing the U.S. Navy in its efforts to modernize its fleet. A warship designed as a central element of America’s naval defense, the Constellation is a case study in the harsh delays, bureaucratic inefficiency, and labor shortages that have plagued U.S. naval shipbuilding.
Meanwhile, China is building its naval dominance at a record pace, producing and deploying warships at a significantly faster pace than the United States. The Constellation’s troubled development is a sobering source of concern about America’s ability to maintain its global naval dominance.
The Constellation-Class Frigate: A Project of Delays
In 2020, the U.S. Navy hired Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build the Constellation-class frigates from an existing Italian design. The plan was to accelerate production by utilizing a well-established vessel, aiming to complete the lead ship, the USS Constellation, by 2026.
However, the Navy’s requests for significant design changes have caused the process to lag significantly behind schedule. Two years into construction, the ship is only 10% complete, a pace well behind schedule.
One of the main reasons for these delays is the Navy’s decision to alter the original design to fit new systems, enhance survivability, and enhance operational capacity. For example, the 24-foot lengthening of the hull allowed for more powerful generators and permitted the ship to travel heavier seas than the relatively light Mediterranean seas for which the original Italian design was optimized. All of these changes have added a tremendous amount of complexity, resulting in construction inefficiencies and increased costs.
China’s Dramatic Naval Expansion
As the United States is grappling with the maintenance of a single frigate, China’s shipbuilding sector continues to run at an unprecedented level. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is commissioning warships at a rate greater than the rest of the world, with streamlined production, government-supported shipyards, and a huge, highly qualified workforce.
This naval buildup is only one aspect of China’s ambitions to project sea power, especially in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing’s strategy created a navy that currently possesses more vessels than the U.S. Navy. China’s rapid development of advanced destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carriers has created an incredible naval advantage. Compared to the U.S., Chinese shipyards are more effective with less bureaucratic slowdown and far less expense.
Systemic problems of American shipbuilding
The USS Constellation delays are not isolated issues, but rather symptoms of deeper systemic problems within the U.S. naval shipbuilding industry. There are several underlying reasons for the ongoing issues:
1. Outdated Shipbuilding Facilities
Most American shipyards have their foundation in outdated manufacturing techniques and equipment. In contrast to China, where significant government investment has been directed towards the modernization of shipyards, U.S. shipbuilders have a proclivity to operate in facilities with minimal upgrades for decades. Technological stagnation has hindered production and restricted efficiency.
2. Labour Shortages
The US shipbuilding industry is desperately short of skilled labor. It lacks welders, engineers, and shipyard employees, which leads to delays and increased use of contractors. China, however, possesses a massive number of highly skilled laborers who are specialized in shipbuilding, allowing for consistent and efficient production.
3. Bureaucratic Inefficiencies
The U.S. Navy’s acquisition and development processes are notoriously bureaucratic, tending to cause cost overruns and higher costs. Design revisions, strict controls, and regulatory requirements introduce complexity that prolongs construction. The revisions made to the Constellation, which may ultimately be worthwhile, serve as a perfect example of how repeated redesigns can undermine efficiency.
Attempts at Reviving U.S. Shipbuilding
Identifying these issues, U.S. lawmakers and military leaders have urged drastic changes to rejuvenate shipbuilding. One such move is the SHIPS Act, which seeks to boost investments in shipbuilding and the Merchant Marine, essential for commercial and military logistics.
Additionally, the U.S. is seeking solutions beyond its domestic capabilities by collaborating with South Korean and Japanese shipbuilders to counter China’s dominance at sea.
Hanwha Ocean, for example, has taken the step to invest in American shipbuilding yards, recently acquiring Philly Shipyard. Such collaborations are expected to boost the efficiency and capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry over the next few years.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has emphasized the importance of such initiatives, noting that a robust maritime sector is not only required in this nation for national defense but also to secure key global supply chains in an increasingly rapidly evolving unstable geopolitical environment.
The Future of U.S. Naval Power
The USS Constellation delays highlight deeper problems facing the U.S. Navy today. American warships remain advanced but suffer from slow production and rising costs. This weakness could undermine America’s ability to face emerging global threats.
To stay ahead, the U.S. must modernise shipyards and streamline procurement systems. It must also fill labour shortages that slow critical naval construction. Without urgent reforms, the Navy risks falling behind rivals in readiness. Failure to act could weaken America’s power projection across the world’s oceans.
Conclusion
The USS Constellation’s troubled development reflects a wider crisis in the U.S. naval shipbuilding sector. While China expands its fleet at breakneck speed, the United States struggles with delays, bureaucracy, and workforce shortages. If leaders fail to act soon, America will lose its edge in maritime supremacy. The U.S. Navy must launch a strategic overhaul now to stay competitive and meet global security demands in the years ahead.
References
- WSJ – Why U.S. Navy Is Falling Behind China
wsj.com/u-s-navy-vs-china - U.S. Navy – Constellation-Class Overview
navy.mil/ffg-62 - CRS – Navy Shipbuilding Report
crs.gov/shipbuilding - DoD – China Military Power Report 2023
defense.gov/cmpr2023 - Fincantieri – Constellation Construction
fincantierimarinegroup.com/constellation
