USCG orders Sentinel-class cutters
Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a contract from the US Coast Guard (USCG) worth an initial $318.6 million for six Sentinel-class fast response cutters (FRCs), the USCG announced on 4 May.
The contract covers procurement of up to 26 cutters with a potential value of $1.42 billion if all options are exercised. If all 26 cutters are ordered, there would be 58 FRCs on order in the USCG's Program of Record.
The USCG is acquiring the FRCs to upgrade its near-offshore patrol capabilities for missions such as fishery patrols; national defence; search and rescue; waterways, ports and coastal security; and drug and migrant interdiction.
The FRCs have a length 154ft, a maximum speed of 28kts, and range of 2,950nm. The ships will feature new C4ISR equipment, improved seakeeping and habitability and a stern cutter boat launch to reach vessels of interest.
A total of 16 FRCs are currently in service, with the 17th scheduled for commission later this month.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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.
