USCG orders additional FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a $289 million contract option to Bollinger Shipyards to produce and deliver an additional six Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), the USCG announced on 16 June.
This option award brings FRCs 39 through 44 under contract with Bollinger. The current FRC contract has options for up to 58 cutters.
The USCG is acquiring the FRCs to replace the 1980s Island class 110ft patrol boats. The FRCs are designed and equipped for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction, ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, search and rescue and national defence.
Currently 22 FRCs are in service, with six stationed in Miami, six in Key West, Florida; six in San Juan, Puerto Rico; two in Cape May, New Jersey, and two in Ketchikan, Alaska.
More from Naval Warfare
-
BlueWhale - A True Submarine Force Multiplier
The seventh annual REPMUS* and Dynamic Messenger naval exercises, organized and led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, were held over a three-week period in September 2023.
-
What is happening with the Greek corvette competition?
The Hellenic Navy has been in the process of replacing its nine remaining Elli-class (Kortaener/S-type) frigates with two new acquisition programmes for frigates and corvettes. The US offer of second-hand US Navy (USN) Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) as potential corvette replacement, however, has given the Greek government pause for thought.
-
UK and Australian defence deal agreed as BAE wins nuclear submarine contract
Deal signed in Canberra will see Australia and the UK bolster their defence partnership via operational agreements, security consultancy and further deals for their primary defence firms.
-
Netherlands selects Barracuda submarine as Australia looks on
With the Netherlands selecting the Barracuda design for its new Orka-class submarines, it will give Australia a chance to see what it could have had after it cancelled its conventional submarine (SSK) project based on Barracuda, opting instead for a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN).