USCG orders Sentinel-class cutters
Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a contract from the US Coast Guard (USCG) worth an initial $318.6 million for six Sentinel-class fast response cutters (FRCs), the USCG announced on 4 May.
The contract covers procurement of up to 26 cutters with a potential value of $1.42 billion if all options are exercised. If all 26 cutters are ordered, there would be 58 FRCs on order in the USCG's Program of Record.
The USCG is acquiring the FRCs to upgrade its near-offshore patrol capabilities for missions such as fishery patrols; national defence; search and rescue; waterways, ports and coastal security; and drug and migrant interdiction.
The FRCs have a length 154ft, a maximum speed of 28kts, and range of 2,950nm. The ships will feature new C4ISR equipment, improved seakeeping and habitability and a stern cutter boat launch to reach vessels of interest.
A total of 16 FRCs are currently in service, with the 17th scheduled for commission later this month.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![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.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
