USCG receives and commissions new FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) commissioned its 31st fast response cutter (FRC), Terrell Horne, in San Pedro, California on 22 March.
The cutter is the third of four planned FRCs to be stationed in San Pedro.
The USCG also received its 33rd FRC, Joseph Doyle, in Key West, Florida, on 21 March. It will be the seventh FRC stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will be commissioned in June 2019.
Each 154ft FRC features advanced C4ISR equipment; over-the-horizon boat deployment capability to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping. The FRCs can reach a maximum speed of more than 28kt and have an endurance of at least five days.
FRCs are replacing the 1980s-era Island-class 110ft patrol boats and have been designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdictions; ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, SAR, and national defence.
The coast guard has ordered 50 cutters to date.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening]()
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an “important deterrent” thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
![US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship]()
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
![Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet]()
Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet
As services like the Royal Navy and US Navy aim to develop hybrid fleets to reduce reliance on and dangers to crewed vessels, L3Harris, Metal Shark and Red Cat step forward.
-
![South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch]()
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
