US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October
The US Coast Guard is expected to acquire new aircraft, helicopters, vessels and ISR sensors this fiscal year using resources from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
A worker at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Steel Fabrication Shop presses a button to start fabrication of the future USS George M Neal. (Photo: HII)
The Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on 6 December began construction of its newest Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer for the USN, the future USS George M Neal (DDG 131).
According to HII, Ingalls has delivered 33 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the USN.
Other destroyers under construction include the Flight IIA vessel Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) and three Flight III ships: Jack H Lucas (DDG 125), Ted Stevens (DDG 128) and Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129).
In addition, Ingalls is contracted to build four more Flight III destroyers for the USN: the future Sam Nunn (DDG 133), Thad Cochran (DDG 135), John F Lehman (DDG 137) and the as-yet unnamed DDG-139.
Arleigh Burke Flight III (DDG 125 - DDG 139) [USN]
The US Coast Guard is expected to acquire new aircraft, helicopters, vessels and ISR sensors this fiscal year using resources from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
The UK, the US and Australia have all been working on “extra-large” uncrewed underwater vehicles, but China’s reported development of a significantly larger capability demonstrates the country’s rapid advancement in underwater warfare.
The first Arctic Security Cutter will be built by Rauma Marine Constructions to be deployed in the US Arctic waters.