USCG commissions 17th cutter
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned USCG cutter Donald Horsley, the 17th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) or Sentinel-class cutter, it announced on 20 May.
This is the fifth FRC to be stationed in the San Juan sector of the USCG. Another 12 FRCs are currently in service in Florida, with six in Key West and six in Miami.
The FRC is designed for near-offshore patrolling for missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, defence readiness and coastal, port and waterway security.
It replaces the 110ft Island-class patrol boats. It has a length of 154ft, beam of 25ft, top speed of over 28 knots and endurance of five days. The vessels can launch and recover over-the-horizon cutter boats from side davits or astern.
Of the 58 FRCs planned by the USCG, 38 have been ordered so far. The next FRC will also be commissioned for stationing in San Juan. It is scheduled for delivery in June 2016.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns]()
UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
-
![As Indonesia doubles up its order, who else is looking at the Arrowhead 140 frigate design?]()
As Indonesia doubles up its order, who else is looking at the Arrowhead 140 frigate design?
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
-
![US Navy to invest more than $700 million in laser-related R&D efforts in FY2026]()
US Navy to invest more than $700 million in laser-related R&D efforts in FY2026
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.
