USCG commissions 17th cutter
The US Coast Guard (USCG) has commissioned USCG cutter Donald Horsley, the 17th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) or Sentinel-class cutter, it announced on 20 May.
This is the fifth FRC to be stationed in the San Juan sector of the USCG. Another 12 FRCs are currently in service in Florida, with six in Key West and six in Miami.
The FRC is designed for near-offshore patrolling for missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, defence readiness and coastal, port and waterway security.
It replaces the 110ft Island-class patrol boats. It has a length of 154ft, beam of 25ft, top speed of over 28 knots and endurance of five days. The vessels can launch and recover over-the-horizon cutter boats from side davits or astern.
Of the 58 FRCs planned by the USCG, 38 have been ordered so far. The next FRC will also be commissioned for stationing in San Juan. It is scheduled for delivery in June 2016.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Rolls Royce Submarines brings jobs to Glasgow for Dreadnought and AUKUS programmes
Rolls Royce opens new Scottish office but the MoD foots the bill.
-
First UK autonomous XL military submarine is put through in-water testing
The BAE Systems Herne XLAUV has hit the water.
-
US Senate approves additional $175 million for Coast Guard’s FY2025 procurement
Extra funds will enable the branch to manage vessel acquisition programmes better.
-
Australia pushes ahead on reinstating heavy landing capability with selection of Damen
Australia has been without a heavy landing capability since the retirement of the last of eight Balikpapan Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels in 2014. Work on new ships is expected to begin in 2026.
-
UK and US marines train to guard nuclear deterrent submarines
The Autumn round of Tartan Eagle training just concluded in Scotland.
-
Saab and Singapore DSTA expand their understanding on undersea defence
The organisations have broadened the remit of an existing MoU to help boost underwater defence innovation.