ESG completes FCDR of Offshore Patrol Cutter
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has successfully conducted the final critical design review (FCDR) with the US Coast Guard for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) programme, ESG announced on 9 July.
The FCDR, conducted in June, verified that the OPC detail design is integrated and internally consistent with the coast guard's requirements and is a step toward the exercise of the contract option for construction of the first cutter.
The lead vessel is expected to be delivered in 2021. The coast guard has plans to acquire a total of 25 OPCs.
The OPC has been designed to conduct a wide range of missions and will provide a capability bridge between the National Security Cutter, which patrols the open ocean, and the Fast Response Cutter, which serves closer to shore.
The OPC can carry an MH-60R or MH-65 helicopter and three operational over-the-horizon small boats. The vessel is also fitted with a sophisticated combat system and C4ISR suite.
The next step for the programme is the production readiness review, which will take place at the end of July.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule]()
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
