USCG accepts delivery of 30th FRC
The US Coast Guard (USCG) received its 30th Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Robert Ward, in Key West, Florida, on 21 August 2018.
The 154ft FRC will be the second to be stationed at San Pedro, California. The vessel has an endurance of five days and can reach a maximum speed of over 28kts.
The new FRCs are replacing the 110ft Island-class patrol boats. The FRCs feature advanced C4ISR equipment; improved seakeeping and habitability and the ability to launch and recover standardised cutter boats from astern or via side davits.
The USCG has ordered 44 FRCs to date, of which twenty-eight are in service.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
How the US Government plans to put the US Navy’s shipbuilding programmes back on track
In an attempt to reduce delays in shipbuilding efforts, the US government, lawmakers and the Navy are betting big on further investments in the national defence industry and public shipyards. Reviewing and reformulating ongoing initiatives and business practices will also form part of the effort.
-
Royal Canadian Navy advances with the construction of its first River-Class destroyer
Scheduled for delivery by 2033, HMCS Fraser will be a major surface component of the Canadian maritime combat power.
-
Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar
Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
-
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
-
South Korean shipbuilders showcase export ambitions amid ongoing KDDX delays
Hyundai and Hanwha recently unveiled advanced frigate and submarine designs while South Korea eyes new export markets and resolves internal rivalries