Austal has begun construction of the US Coast Guard’s fifth Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter in Mobile, Alabama.
The USCGC Pickering (WSMM 919) is the first to be built under a $3.3-billion contract order signed in 2022 for up to 11 360-foot (110-meter) class cutters to replace the 1960s-era Reliance patrol boats.
Once completed, the Pickering will be stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where it will address the gap between the service’s open ocean and shore-based capabilities.
In addition to defense and maritime law operations, the vessel will also be used for waterways, coastal and port security, as well as environment protection and search and rescue deployments.
Austal’s First Hull
The decision to assign the construction of the fifth Heritage hull to Austal was made after the coast guard’s initial development partner for hulls one to four, Florida-based Easter Shipbuilding, experienced severe damage to its facilities due to a hurricane in 2018.
The fleet’s lead ship, the USCGC Argus (WMSM 915), is expected to be delivered later this year.
“Austal USA is excited to begin construction on the first of these high priority cutters for the US Coast Guard,” Austal USA New Constructions Vice President Dave Growden remarked.
“This contract exemplifies the flexibility of our workforce and importance of our steel panel line to Austal USA’s future success.”
“Our multi-talented shipbuilders are well prepared to demonstrate their capability to produce the same high-quality steel ship as they have been producing for our aluminum programs.”
The Heritage-Class Offshore Patrol Cutter
The Heritage-class cutter runs with twin 9,760-horsepower Fairbanks Morse diesel engines and four additional diesel generators for speeds up to 22.5 knots (41.6 kilometers/25.8 miles per hour) and a range of 10,200 nautical miles (18,890 kilometers/11,738 miles).
The boat has a 60-day maximum endurance functionality and accommodation for more than 120 personnel.
It can carry three rigid-hull inflatable boats, a medium-type helicopter, and an unmanned aerial system.
The Heritage is protected by a main gun and critical area-equipped ballistic armor sheeting, decoy launch systems, naval automatic guns, machine guns, and additional crew-served weapons.