Austal USA starts work on first of 11 Heritage-class OPCs
Built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, USCGC Argus became the first Heritage-class OPC to enter the water in 2023. (Photo: US Coast Guard)
The company was awarded a US$3.3 billion contract to construct 11 OPCs for the US Coast Guard in June 2022.
Construction has begun on the first of 11 Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built by Austal USA for the US Coast Guard (USCG).
The cutters will be built at Austal USA’s ship manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, with the first OPC, USCGC Pickering (OPC 919), set to be the fifth OPC to be delivered after Austal USA was awarded a contract by the USCG for Stage 2 of the OPC programme. Stage 1 is being undertaken by Eastern Shipbuilding Group and consist of four vessels, the first of which, USCGC Argus, was launched in October 2023.
The 360-foot OPCs will have a range of 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots and a 60-day endurance period. They will primarily conduct missions beyond 12 nautical miles from shore.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the OPC programme is aiming to “bridge the capability gap between the National Security Cutter, which patrols the open ocean and the Fast Response Cutter, which operates closer to shore”.
Austal USA recently broke ground on a new assembly building featuring three bays and 192,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. Two of the new bays will be created specifically for erecting the OPCs.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
USGC Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC 1-4)
Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC 5 to OPC 15) [USCG]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs]()
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
![How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?]()
How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?
Although both countries still operate Cold War-era platforms, they possess capable nuclear-powered and armed submarines and are investing in the development of new, advanced capabilities.
-
![Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds]()
Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds
Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.
