USCG commissions 19th FRC
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned its 19th fast response cutter (FRC), USCGC Rollin Fritch, it announced on 21 November.
The 154ft FRC is designed to patrol close to shore, executing missions such as fishery patrols, drug and migrant interdiction, national defence and ports, waterways and coastal security.
The FRCs, which are replacing the Island-class 110ft patrol boats, feature advanced C4ISR equipment; improved habitability and seakeeping; and over-the-horizon cutter boat deployment capabilities to reach vessels of interest.
Rollin Fritch is the first FRC based in the USCG Fifth District, which includes inland and coastal waters from North Carolina’s southern border to parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The second FRC to be based in Cape May, the upcoming USCGC Lawrence Lawson, is scheduled to be commissioned in 2017.
The US has ordered 38 out of 58 possible FRCs. Currently 19 cutters are in service.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Japan commissions its second Taigei-class submarine
Japan has inducted its second Taigei-class submarine, amidst plans to boost counterstrike capabilities with new, longer-range missiles.
-
Second Brazilian Riachuelo-class submarine conducts pre-service testing
The second of four PROSUB conventional attack submarines has completed diving trials ahead of service entry with the Brazilian Navy later this year.
-
Argentina turns to local industry in naval modernisation push
Local companies will build a new landing ship and floating dock, modernise in-service corvettes and develop a naval surveillance radar.
-
The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts
In early March, the Biden administration submitted a proposal to Congress that would see the US DoD funded to the tune of $842 billion, around a quarter of which will go to the US Navy.
-
Are Australia’s SSN ambitions ‘sub-optimal’? (Opinion)
Some describe Australia's SSN plans as marking the country's coming of age, but there are still too many questions whether it will work out the way planners imagine.
-
South Korea approves naval minesweeper programme
A new class of minesweeper has been approved for the ROK Navy, while another Daegu-class frigate has been commissioned.