Why the Constellation-class frigates are likely to survive

Will congressional funding threats cancel the Constellation-class frigates?

Probably not; the navy needs the ships, while low bids and requirement growth are more likely to drive renegotiation than cancellation.

The panel expects Constellation-class construction to continue because the US Navy needs the capability and has few alternatives. Even the much more troubled Littoral Combat Ship programme produced a substantial number of hulls. The discussion distinguishes requirement growth and unrealistically low bids from simple project incompetence: a contractor can bid low, then demand more money when the real cost becomes unavoidable. Britain's smaller supplier pool sometimes produces estimates closer to the eventual unit price because there is less room for a race to the bottom. Congressional criticism may therefore force changes and renegotiation without ending the frigate programme.