USCG FRC arrives in Hawaii
The US Coast Guard’s (USCG’s) new Sentinel class cutter Oliver Berry has arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, the US Pacific Command announced on 25 September.
The vessel is the first of three Honolulu-based fast response cutters (FRC) that will primarily serve the main Hawaiian Islands.
The 154ft FRCs are designed to patrol coastal regions and feature advanced C4ISR equipment. The cutters also have the ability to launch and recover standardised small boats from the stern.
The USCG is acquiring 58 FRCs to replace the 110ft Island-class patrol boats. The FRCs are designed for missions including search and rescue; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction, ports, waterways and coastal security and national defence.
The USCG took delivery of Oliver Berry on 27 June in Key West. The vessel will be commissioned in October this year. Three FRCs are to be stationed at Base Honolulu by the spring of 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback
Hanwha Ocean is deepening ties with the US and eyeing a submarine opportunity in Saudi Arabia, as South Korea looks to convert its Canadian defeat into export momentum.
-
A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel
Kraken Technology Group’s A400M airdrop of a K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel points to a new way for navies to insert USVs into contested waters, bypassing ports and motherships.
-
From the seas to the web: the changing shape of UK defence in Southeast Asia
As his final engagement before leaving his post as the head of the British defence staff for Southeast Asia and defence adviser to Singapore, Brigadier Eddie Maskell-Pedersen spoke with Shephard about maritime security, cyber cooperation and long-term partnerships.