USCG accepts delivery of 29th FRC
The US Coast Guard (USCG) received its 29th Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Forrest Rednour, in Key West, Florida, on 7 June.
The 154ft FRC will be the first to be stationed at San Pedro, California, and will be commissioned later in 2018. The vessel has an endurance of five days and can reach a maximum speed of over 28kts.
The new cutters are replacing the 110ft Island class patrol boats. The USCG plans to acquire 58 FRCs, of which 44 have been ordered. Twenty-seven FRCs are already in service.
The FRCs feature advanced C4ISR equipment; improved habitability and seakeeping; and the ability to launch and recover standardised cutter boats from astern or via side davits. The FRCs will carry out missions including defence readiness; law enforcement; SAR; and ports, waterways and coastal security.
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