Babcock wins OPC design support contract
Babcock International will provide platform engineering design support for the design and construction phases of the US Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) class vessels, the company announced on 21 March.
Babcock will deliver services as part of Team Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), including delivering a whole ship 3D model, selected systems and production support as part of the new design work, supporting detailed modelling, production outputs and the detailed design of auxiliary systems, structure, outfit and electrical systems. Elements of the work will be subcontracted to VARD.
The first cutter is set to enter production in late 2018, and will be complete by 2021. Up to eight follow-on ships are included in the coast guard's initial order.
The OPCs will be 110m length, with 4,000 tonnes displacement. They will have a range of 10,200 nautical miles, and will carry a helicopter, boats and unmanned systems. Each OPC will feature a flight deck, weapons and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026]()
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
-
![Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals]()
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.
-
![UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration]()
UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
-
![RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity]()
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
