HII to build additional NSCs for USCG
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division received contracts in December to build additional National Security Cutters (NSC) for the US Coast Guard.
The contract values for the tenth and 11th NSCs are $468.75 million and $462.13 million, respectively.
The Legend-class NSCs include an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft.
NSCs are 418ft vessels with 54ft beam and a displacement of 4,500t with full load. They have a top speed of 28kts, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and can accommodate a crew of 120.
The vessel can be deployed for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defence missions.
To date, Ingalls has delivered seven NSCs to replace the Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters that entered service in the 1960s. The seventh ship, Kimball, will be commissioned in Hawaii on 19 January. The eighth and ninth ships, Midgett and Stone, are currently under construction.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class]()
US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
With ongoing market research to find potential shipyards for building LCUs, NAVSEA intends to issue a request for proposals for the programme next year.
-
![Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS]()
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
