USCG orders OTH-IV boats
SAFE Boats International has received a $4.76 million order from the US Coast Guard (USCG) for the delivery of 11 over the horizon-IV (OTH-IV) cutter boats, it was announced on 6 July. This order takes the total number of OTH-IVs ordered until to 66.
Of the 11 boats, eight will go to medium endurance cutters; one to a Fast Response Cutter (FRC) which is currently under construction; and two to the Munro National Security Cutter, which is in production with delivery planned for December 2016. All the boats are expected to be delivered by mid-2017.
To date 40 OTH-IVs have been delivered, including 17 for FRCs and five for NSCs. These boats deliver boarding teams to vessels of interest for port, waterway and coastal security; law enforcement; search and rescue; and defence readiness missions.
The OTH-IVs have a top speed of 40 knots and are 26ft long. When compared with the OTH-III, the OTH-IV features higher speeds, increased cargo space and seating, and compatibility with both stern and side-davit launch and recovery systems.
More from Naval Warfare
-
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
-
£30 million UK-New Zealand deal sends new uncrewed vehicles to Ukraine
Sam Vye, the CEO of SYOS Aerospace, which supplied the vehicles, explained the rapid development and deployment of assets in the uncrewed world.
-
HII delivers first two Lionfish SUUVs to US Navy
The SUUVs could be part of a programme that scales to 200 vehicles.
-
HALO programme decommissioned by US Navy in favour of LRASM upgrades
The programme was due to be at full operational capability in the US Navy by 2031, but has been pulled over cost and timeline concerns.