USCG News and Discussion

Zhaow

New Member
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The LCS program has met some difficulties, but in the overall picture at the present time the US Navy doesn't want frigates. More than likely if the LCS program was cancelled, the US Navy would acquire the Spanish BAM multi-role vessel, or something similar. Minehunting in the Navy's eyes is more important than mid ocean convoy or replenishment groups ASW escorts. The US Navy has always seen frigates as undersized destroyers. The whole purpose of the LCS is to design a frigate and minehunting replacement with a single ship design to save lots of money. The US Navy won't have changed their mind about frigates if the LCS fails.




While I am sure Ingalls would love to build 40 or so frigates, I am sure the US Navy would rather build BAMs with LCS weapons systems. What the US Navy doesn't want to do is place destroyer weapons on frigates.
So how would the Spanish Navy's BAM stack up against the US Navy's LCS program. I have heard that the US Coast Guard is looking at the Spanish Navy's BAM as a replacement for the US Coast Guard's 210 & 270 WMEC.
 

StevoJH

The Bunker Group
So how would the Spanish Navy's BAM stack up against the US Navy's LCS program. I have heard that the US Coast Guard is looking at the Spanish Navy's BAM as a replacement for the US Coast Guard's 210 & 270 WMEC.
You are on the wrong thread, if you want to talk about the USCG, pick the USN thread or start a USCG thread. But...

They fill different roles. BAM is designed as a Patrol (OPV) for constabulary tasks, whereas the LCS is designed as a warfighting vessel.

BAM, or something like the NZ OPV (Based on the Irish OPV) would be ideal for the USCG if they decided that they didn't need to gold plate everything.
 

Sea Toby

New Member
There are images on the web of a Coast Guard French Gowind OPC and the Dutch/Indonesian OPV. At the moment no decision has been made for the upcoming OPCs. I don't believe a BAM is in the picture for the USCG which has no rationale for a hydrographic, or oceanographic cutter. The USCG has buoy tenders already and don't require a work deck for a OPC cutter.
 

StevoJH

The Bunker Group
Sea Toby, maybe you want to start a USCG discussion thread rather than talking about them in the thread for every other naval service in the world?

Also, while the USCG may not *currently* have a requirement for those roles, their current ships will not last forever and commonality between ships despite possible different roles has to be a plus.
 

Todjaeger

Potstirrer
Given how often United States Coast Guard items have begun appearing in (and in some cases polluting) other threads, it does appear time to create a US Coast Guard specific thread.

So, for those wishing to discuss the USCG, please do so here.

-Cheers
 

Sea Toby

New Member
While the USCG is approaching the final design and bids for the new OPCs upcoming after the NSCs, its business as usual otherwise. Always ready. On this week's show the USCG performed another rescue at sea on the Deadliest Catch series, airlifting a fisherman in ill health from a fishing trawler. Excellent camera work as the producers of the show used all eight cameras aboard that trawler.

These issues continue to arise from those wishing to upgrade an OPC, or cutter, into a frigate warship in many different navy threads.
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
USCG selects Eastern Shipbuilding Group to produce Offshore Patrol Cutter

USCG has issued a News Release announcing that Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has been selected to build the new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC):
"...WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard awarded a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., of Panama City, Florida, Thursday for the production of the lead Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and up to eight follow-on cutters.

The total award was valued at $110.29 million. The contract has a potential value of $2.38 billion with options to produce nine cutters.

The OPC acquisition will replace the service’s aging fleet of medium endurance cutters, some that are in excess of 50 years old. Each OPC will feature a flight deck and advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.

The OPC will provide a capability bridge between the National Security Cutter and the Fast Response Cutter, which operates closer to shore.

“The Offshore Patrol Cutter acquisition is the Coast Guard’s highest investment priority, and we are proud to announce this important milestone,” said Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Paul Zukunft. “The Offshore Patrol Cutter will replace our aging medium endurance cutters and provide the majority of offshore presence by the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet. Whether combating transnational organized criminal networks off Central America or patrolling in the increasingly accessible Arctic, the Offshore Patrol Cutter will ensure our Nation’s maritime security and economic interests are preserved for decades to come.”

The first OPC is expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2021; the service plans to build 25 OPCs..."
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc, Panama City, FL Press Release

View attachment 6716
USCG OPC program page
OPC Program Overview (pdf)
OPC Fact Sheet (pdf)

The current rendering of the future OPC shows a somewhat different design than seen in earlier rendering/modelings
View attachment 6717

View attachment 6718 Link to large image
 

ASSAIL

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
That looks like a very useful design for an OPV/OPV and it would be an ideal solution to many navies purchasing in that area. The projected cost of approx USD 430 m makes it cheaper and more capable than some other designs from BAE and Damen
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Dammit, why do they insist on using obsolete measurements? 96% of the world's population, producing 84% of world output, uses proper metres, tonnes, etc. - & yet they put out brochures in feet, with no metric equivalent.

$430 mn doesn't seem cheap unless you compare it to a full-on warship with sensors & weapons. 110 x 16.5 metres. Compare it with the Holland class (the same size), for example, & it looks expensive.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Dammit, why do they insist on using obsolete measurements? 96% of the world's population, producing 84% of world output, uses proper metres, tonnes, etc. - & yet they put out brochures in feet, with no metric equivalent.
Pollies would be the main reason followed by businesses that have minimal or no export desires. Canada went metric decades ago yet many businesses still dual label their products (plus it is mandatory to have both official languages). This makes for a real cluster trying to read package info! The U.S. will get there eventually. BTW, remember the Space mission that failed because the wrong units were specified. Just one of many reasons why they should get on the metric path ASAP.:D
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
The replacement USCG Heavy Icebreaker has been delayed again and is now pushed out to 2025. This could mean that the service's only current heavy ice breaker USCG Polar Star will be out of service before the new one even kisses water.

Delivery Of The U.S. Coast Guard's New Heavy Icebreaker Has Been Pushed Back A Year (thedrive.com)
Apparently our coast guards have similar MOs, delay, delay. The Canadian Coast Guard won’t likely have a new “heavy” until the next decade.
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
(big sigh)
USCGC
Benjamin Dailey (WPC-1123) (Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter) should be assumed to have suffered serious damage as a result of an onboard fire Friday night (10 Dec), while in dry dock undergoing maintenance at the Port of Tampa Bay (Florida). Images and video I've seen do not show the ship other than the mast seen in the billowing smoke. Reporting is sparse. No crew were on board and fire was fought by local firefighters.
I think the US maritime services would very much like 2021 to end already (/s/)
US Coast Guard Cutter goes up in flames in Tampa Bay dry doc
 
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