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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.