When the Italian FREMM-class frigate ITS Alpino (F-594) sailed into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor earlier this week, the ship was not just on a good will tour but offered a chance for its builder to show off their entry into the Navy’s new frigate design competition.Alpino was built by Italian ship builder Fincantieri, which through its Marinette, Wisc.-based subsidiary, Fincantieri Marine Group, is one of five ship builders vying for the contract to build the Navy’s next guided missile frigate (FFG(X)).

In February, Fincantieri Marine Group, along with Austal USA, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls Industries, were each awarded $15 million contracts to provide the Navy with designs as part of the bidding competition. The Navy plans to buy 20 frigates and has stated a contract award is expected in 2020.