By October 2024, Constellation had gained 759 metric tons over its initial estimate, nearly a 13 percent increase. The report attributed part of that growth to underestimating the effect of US Navy technical requirements on a foreign design. Efforts to reduce weight had not prevented the problem from becoming more pronounced as the design matured. Excess weight at entry into service consumes the allowance intended for upgrades across a decades-long career. The result can be reduced combat capability, less room to answer new threats, and a shorter useful service life even before the first ship is complete.
Notable Point · 1:35:08-1:36:03
Weight growth consumes capability reserved for the ship's future
A reported 759-metric-ton increase consumed weight margin intended to accommodate future changes to the ship.