USS Constellation delays expose US Navy's shipbuilding challenges

The USS Constellation, a new US Navy frigate designed with Italian technology, is facing significant delays and cost overruns. Originally scheduled for completion by 2026, it's now three years behind schedule and just 10 percent finished. The project hit snags after the Navy made numerous modifications to the Italian design. Changes included enlarging the hull, reshaping the bow, and redesigning engine rooms. These alterations have complicated construction and led to increased costs, with the estimate climbing from $1.3 billion to over $1.9 billion. Despite its high-tech ambitions, the USS Constellation is becoming a symbol of bureaucratic challenges within the Navy. The construction site in Wisconsin, where the ship is being built, has struggled with labor shortages and inefficiencies. With many skilled workers retiring, the Navy is having difficulty recruiting new talent. This delay comes at a time when the US Navy is facing increased maritime threats, especially from China, which has launched many more ships in recent years. The gap between US and Chinese naval strength is widening, and the Navy is under pressure to reform shipbuilding processes. The first Constellation-class ship may not sail until 2029, and industry experts worry about the implications of these delays on US military readiness. Plans for a larger fleet by 2054 now seem uncertain without significant changes in shipbuilding efficiency.