The United States Coast Guard National Security Cutter (NSC) is one design among several new cutter designs developed as part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program.[1]
The cutter has two rear-launching ramps, capable of each launching and retrieving a Rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs), without first stopping.[2][3] The RIB can be used for intercepting suspect vessels, or for rescuing swimmers. Unlike smaller cutters, such as the Marine Protector, the National Security Cutter and the Offshore Patrol Cutter are able to launch and retrieve both the Short Range Prosecutor and the larger Long Range Interceptor. Both RIBs are propelled by Pump-jets.
The first NSC, Bertholf entered sea trials in February 2008.[4] It has been in service since August 2008, and is homeported in Alameda, California. A second NSC, Waesche, is currently undergoing sea trials, while a third cutter, Stratton, had her keel laid and is under construction.[5]
On 7 July 2009, the Government Accountability Office reported that delays in the NSC program are likely to result in "the loss of thousands of cutter operational days for conducting missions through 2017."[6] The GAO also that month reported that problems in the NSC program have delayed the OPC program by five years.[7]
The United States Coast Guard is building eight National Security Cutters, which will be known as the Legend class.
| USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) |
| USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) |
| USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752)[8] |
| USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753)[9] |
Northrop Grumman has offered its National Security Cutter design as a new frigate for the United States Navy at a cost of less than $400 million as a complement to the LCS, with the possibility of later adding in the LCS weapons and mission module capabilities. The design would have a lower top speed than the LCS but much longer endurance.[10] However the NSC is not built to the same level of survivability as Navy ships and so would face higher risks if pressed into combat duties.[11]
References
- ^ "National Security Cutter (NSC)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/nsc.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
- ^ "Short Range Prosecutor (SRP)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/srp.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
- ^ "H770 DJ Short Range Prosecutor (technical specifications)". Zodiac Group. http://www.zodiacmilpro.com/product/sbyt/info/770DJSRP.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
- ^ Bertholf Sea Trials on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- ^ USCG: Acquisition Directorate (CG-9)
- ^ Coast Guard: Observations on the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget and Related Performance and Management Challenges
- ^ Options for Combining the Navy's and the Coast Guard's Small Combatant Programs
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ CRS RL33741 - Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress
- ^ CBO: Options for Combining the Navy's and the Coast Guard's Small Combatant Programs, page 11
See also
External links
- National Security Cutters at USCG Deepwater site
- Matagorda deploying and retrieving her Short Range Prosecutor at speed (www.icgsdeepwater.com)
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