VT Halter Marine receives PSC contract
VT Halter Marine has been selected by the US Navy as the prime contractor for the detail design and construction of the US Coast Guard’s (USCG's) Polar Security Cutter (PSC).
The initial award is valued at $745.9 million and supports non-recurring engineering and detail design of the PSC class as well as procurement of long lead-time materials and construction of the first ship. The PSC contract is a multi-year programme, with the USCG to acquire up to three multi-mission PSCs to recapitalise its fleet of heavy icebreakers.
The contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs. If all options are exercised, the cumulative value of the contract would be $1.9 billion.
Construction on the first PSC is planned to begin in 2021 with delivery planned for 2024. If the options are exercised, the second and third vessels are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2027 respectively. PSCs will support a wide range of missions including SAR, maritime law enforcement, environmental response and national defence missions.
The vessels will be 460ft in length with a beam of 88ft overall. The ship will have a full load displacement of about 33,000t at delivery.
VT Halter Marine, the shipbuilding business of ST Engineering, has been involved in the design analysis study of the PSC since February 2017 and the production engineering studies support work since February 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
-
Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (podcast)
In an era of swarming drones, proliferating missiles and saturation attacks, naval air defence must combine cutting-edge effectiveness with low cost per intercept. Israel’s Rafael is applying its long expertise to help navies adapt to emerging threats, while looking to a future of laser technology – and beyond.
-
US Navy outlines next steps of the Aegis modernisation programme
The US Navy intends to enhance the integration and lethality of the Aegis capabilities onboard its cruisers and destroyers.
-
Austal signs long-delayed shipbuilding pact as industry risks persist
Austal signs long-delayed Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, but schedule risks and programme delays still loom over Canberra’s naval plans.