USCG receives Benjamin Bottoms
The US Coast Guard (USCG) received its 32nd Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Benjamin Bottoms, in Key West, Florida, on 8 January.
Benjamin Bottoms will be the fourth FRC stationed in San Pedro, California, and is scheduled to be commissioned in May.
The 154ft Sentinel-class FRCs feature advanced C4ISR equipment to perform a wide range of missions including SAR; national defence; ports, waterways and coastal security; drug and migrant interdiction; and fisheries patrols.
The cutters have improved habitability and seakeeping and over-the-horizon cutter boat launch and recovery capabilities. The vessels can reach a maximum speed of 28kt and have an endurance of at least five days.
To date, the USCG has ordered 50 FRCs of which 29 are in service: 12 in Florida, six in Puerto Rico, one in California and two each in Alaska, New Jersey, Mississippi, Hawaii and North Carolina.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy budget seeks 34 ships on yesterday’s industrial base]()
US Navy budget seeks 34 ships on yesterday’s industrial base
The 2027 budget demands 34 new vessels, but ageing yards and backlogs raise questions about whether American shipbuilding can deliver.
-
![Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement]()
Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
-
![What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?]()
What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?
Saab’s merger of its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026, aims to enhance efficiency, innovation and competitive positioning in the naval sector.
-
![Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions]()
Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions
Amphibious operations are a very unique type of military operation, and global defence industries are developing new solutions to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
