When the USS Constellation was first announced, it was meant to be a shining example of America’s naval might, a symbol of the country’s resurgence at sea.
The plan was grand, with a ship designed to dominate the waves, equipped to counter submarines, missiles, and drones.
However, nearly five years after the contract was awarded, the shipyard in Wisconsin is struggling with delays, skyrocketing costs, and constant changes to the ship’s design, leaving the USS Constellation far from the beacon of naval power it was supposed to be.
From Ambition to Chaos: How Modifications Slowed Down Progress
The journey to build the USS Constellation began in 2020 when the U.S. Navy awarded the contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine, part of the renowned Italian shipbuilding company.
The goal was to create a ship based on an existing Italian design, one already used by the Italian Navy, which had proven effective and could be delivered in just a few years.
The U.S. Navy, aiming to accelerate the project, chose this design with the hope of updating only 15 percent to meet American specifications, while keeping the rest the same.
However, this plan quickly unraveled. The Navy’s constant changes and upgrades to the design, including altering the hull, reshaping the bow, redesigning engine rooms, and even switching propellers, only led to delays and increased costs.
Now, more than two years into construction, the ship is just 10 percent complete, and the original timeline of having it ready by 2026 is now looking unlikely.
The Strain of Labor Shortages and Shipyard Struggles
One of the biggest challenges facing the USS Constellation project is the shortage of skilled labor.
Fincantieri, like many other American shipyards, struggles with an aging workforce and a lack of young workers to replace retiring veterans.
With a limited number of workers, the shipyard can only produce one frigate per year, despite being under contract to build six.
The Government Accountability Office has called this ‘a strategic pause,’ and it’s clear that these delays have been costly.
As the project faces setbacks, costs have soared. Originally estimated at $1.3 billion, the USS Constellation’s price tag has now surpassed $1.9 billion, and further overruns seem inevitable.
Critics argue that this is a result of outdated practices, inefficient management, and endless bureaucratic red tape.
The Cost of Inaction: Delays and Rising Threats
As the Navy’s shipbuilding program languishes, other global powers are advancing.
China, in particular, has been aggressively expanding its naval fleet, launching 157 warships from 2014 to 2023.
In contrast, the U.S. Navy has only launched 67 during the same period, putting the U.S. significantly behind in terms of naval strength.
Experts warn that these delays, combined with shifting defense priorities, could leave the U.S. vulnerable to international adversaries, especially as China continues to expand its naval capabilities.
While American warships are undeniably powerful, they are also incredibly expensive and slow to build.
The U.S. Navy’s attempt to speed up production has fallen short, and now, with a fleet that is aging and shrinking, the Pentagon is scrambling to find a solution.
President Trump even floated the idea of creating an Office of Shipbuilding to revive the industry, but challenges like steel tariffs, labor shortages, and outdated equipment make this a difficult goal to achieve.
A Global Arms Race and the U.S. Navy’s Struggle to Catch Up
As the U.S. Navy faces delays, China is rapidly modernizing its fleet.
The U.S. is now behind in terms of warship construction, with the number of ships in the Chinese fleet surpassing that of the U.S. In fact, China now has the largest navy in the world.
Meanwhile, U.S. warships are taking longer to build, and the industry is facing a crisis of recruitment, retention, and outdated equipment.
Despite efforts to address these issues, it’s clear that the Navy’s current pace of shipbuilding is not keeping up with global demands or the growing threat posed by rival nations.
The Navy’s Struggles to Recruit and Retain a Skilled Workforce
One of the central issues that has contributed to the delays in ship construction is the lack of skilled workers.
The shipbuilding industry, which once thrived, is now facing an aging workforce with fewer younger workers entering the field.
Many shipyards are offering bonuses and partnering with technical colleges to create training programs to attract new talent, but it’s still not enough to meet the demand for skilled welders, engineers, and systems specialists.
Without an infusion of skilled labor, it’s unlikely that the Navy will be able to meet its ambitious goals for the future.
The Political Fallout: How Delays and Rising Costs Have Reached the Oval Office
Frustration over the Navy’s shipbuilding woes has even reached the White House.
In 2017, President Trump was shown photos of modern U.S. warships but dismissed them in favor of the USS New Jersey, a relic from World War II.
The symbolism of this moment wasn’t lost on those in the defense community, who see the Navy’s current fleet as outdated and behind schedule.
With President Trump and other leaders expressing concern over the Navy’s inability to keep up with technological advances, there are calls for reform to bring shipbuilding back to life.
The Future of the USS Constellation: Still in Pieces and Far Behind Schedule
The USS Constellation was meant to be a symbol of American naval strength, but it has become a cautionary tale of delays, inefficiencies, and rising costs.
With construction now set to take nearly a decade—double the time it would have taken using the original Italian design—this ship’s journey is far from over.
As the U.S. Navy faces mounting challenges in building and maintaining its fleet, the Constellation remains a reminder of how bureaucracy and outdated practices can hinder progress.
The future of the U.S. Navy, it seems, will depend on the ability to overcome these obstacles and adapt to the changing global landscape.