Fincantieri Marine Group looks towards future after Constellation cancellation
A computer-generated image of Damenʼs LST 100 landing ship that forms the basis for the US Navyʼs LSM programme. (Damen)
Fincantieri Marine Group, the US subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilder, has been forced to pivot after the US Navy (USN) truncated a contract for Constellation-class frigates from six to two in November 2025.
The first sign of a new direction came on 18 February 2026 when Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced that it had issued a request for proposal (RFP) for a “vessel construction manager (VCM) to oversee the acquisition of the new Medium Landing Ship (LSM)”.
The VCM will oversee the construction of LSMs at Bollinger Shipyard in Louisiana and Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, the NAVSEA statement said, noting that it would “hold the prime contract with the navy and, in turn, issue and manage its own subcontracts directly with the shipyards”.
“This strategy is designed to maximise commercial practices to accelerate delivery, improve cost discipline, and expand the US shipbuilding industrial base, with a contract award anticipated for mid-2026,” the statement added.
Fincantieri will build four LSMs based on Damen Naval's LST 100 design to reduce “technical and schedule risks”, according to NAVSEA.
The USN appears to be establishing the processes needed to enable speed, particularly for less complex vessels, George Moutafis, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, told Janes on 12 March.
The intent seems to be to hand off a complete design to the VCM, who will manage the shipbuilders, minimising bureaucracy and creating a commercial type of relationship to simplify processes and prioritise schedule, he said.
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