USCG receives and commissions new FRCs
The US Coast Guard (USCG) commissioned its 31st fast response cutter (FRC), Terrell Horne, in San Pedro, California on 22 March.
The cutter is the third of four planned FRCs to be stationed in San Pedro.
The USCG also received its 33rd FRC, Joseph Doyle, in Key West, Florida, on 21 March. It will be the seventh FRC stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will be commissioned in June 2019.
Each 154ft FRC features advanced C4ISR equipment; over-the-horizon boat deployment capability to reach vessels of interest; and improved habitability and seakeeping. The FRCs can reach a maximum speed of more than 28kt and have an endurance of at least five days.
FRCs are replacing the 1980s-era Island-class 110ft patrol boats and have been designed for multiple missions, including drug and migrant interdictions; ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, SAR, and national defence.
The coast guard has ordered 50 cutters to date.
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