HII launches tenth National Security Cutter
Ingalls Shipbuilding launched Calhoun on 3 April. (Photo: HII)
The tenth Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) for the US Coast Guard (USCG) was launched on 3 April by the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) at Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Calhoun is scheduled to be christened at Ingalls Shipbuilding in June 2022 and is expected to be delivered to the USCG in early 2023. The vessel is the tenth Legend-class cutter to take to the water and one more is on order to enter service in 2023.
Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole designer and provider of the Legend-class NSC.
At 127m in length, displacing 4,600t, and featuring an array of sensors and weapons systems, the NSCs are considered among the most capable coast guard vessels afloat. The vessels are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft.
Equipped with two level 1, class 1 aircraft hangers and a stern launch ramp for mission boats, the vessels are armed with six .50 calibre machine guns and a single MK 110 57mm turret-mounted gun. They are also equipped with a 3D air search radar.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
National Security Cutters [USCG]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations
The NEREUS project aims to enhance and expand the US Navy’s existing communications systems, enabling crewed/uncrewed seabed and subsurface missions.
-
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.