USCG orders additional FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a $289 million contract option to Bollinger Shipyards to produce and deliver an additional six Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), the USCG announced on 16 June.
This option award brings FRCs 39 through 44 under contract with Bollinger. The current FRC contract has options for up to 58 cutters.
The USCG is acquiring the FRCs to replace the 1980s Island class 110ft patrol boats. The FRCs are designed and equipped for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdiction, ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, search and rescue and national defence.
Currently 22 FRCs are in service, with six stationed in Miami, six in Key West, Florida; six in San Juan, Puerto Rico; two in Cape May, New Jersey, and two in Ketchikan, Alaska.
More from Naval Warfare
-
SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
-
Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD
A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.
-
Royal Navy welcomes mine-hunting mothership
RFA Stirling Castle, a 6,000-tonne vessel, will start operations later this year.
-
Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.
-
Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS
The contracts between OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) and BAE Systems Submarines will encompass continued support for the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) and the future Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).