USCG receives and commissions new FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) commissioned its 31st fast response cutter (FRC), Terrell Horne, in San Pedro, California on 22 March.
The cutter is the third of four planned FRCs to be stationed in San Pedro.
The USCG also received its 33rd FRC, Joseph Doyle, in Key West, Florida, on 21 March. It will be the seventh FRC stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will be commissioned in June 2019.
Each 154ft FRC features advanced C4ISR equipment; over-the-horizon boat deployment capability to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping. The FRCs can reach a maximum speed of more than 28kt and have an endurance of at least five days.
FRCs are replacing the 1980s-era Island-class 110ft patrol boats and have been designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdictions; ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, SAR, and national defence.
The coast guard has ordered 50 cutters to date.
More from Naval Warfare
-
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
-
Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first
On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.