Government watchdog agency punches holes in new USCG icebreaker programme
US Coast Guard and US Navy leaders should re-evaluate the cost and development schedule for new Heavy Polar Icebreakers (HPIB), according to the government’s watchdog agency.
In a new report to Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the programme faces three main problems — an unrealistic cost estimate, overly optimistic delivery dates and unclear plans for how key technologies will fit in to the vessel.
‘We found that the lifecycle cost estimate used to inform the HPIB programme’s baselines substantially adheres to most cost estimating best practices; however, the estimate is not fully reliable,’ the GAO wrote told lawmakers.
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year]()
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
-
![HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome]()
HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine.
-
![How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls]()
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
