Long Range Interceptor

Long Range Interceptor (LRI-II) coming aboard USCGC Bertholf

The Long Range Interceptor (LRI) is an 11-meter (35 feet) high speed launch vessel designed to be deployed from United States Coast Guard cutters via a rear launching ramp.[1] The Long Range Interceptor is an aluminum boat, powered by Ultrajet brand water-jets, for intercepting and boarding suspect vessels.[2][3] It mounts a radar, special shock-proof seats, and can travel at 35 knots (65 km/h). They can be armed with machine guns or grenade launchers, and can be equipped with ballistic panels for crew protection when required.

The National Security Cutters (NSC) have a rear launching/retrieval ramp, and carry two launches, either two of the smaller 7-meter USCG Short Range Prosecutors, or two USCG Long Range Interceptors, or one of each.[4][5]

Under the Integrated Deepwater System Program,[6] the US Coast Guard's outside private contracting company, Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), signed a $2.9 million contract for the construction of one Long Range Interceptor in February 2006 with Willard Marine.[7][8][9] However, because the LRI's design did not meet Coast Guard's requirements, the Coast Guard planned to hold a full and open competition for additional LRIs that would comply with future NSCs requirements.[10]

In June 2012, the United States Coast Guard selected MetalCraft Marine U.S. in Cape Vincent, New York, and awarded a five-year production contract with a potential total value of up to $10.2 million with the option to build up to ten of the latest version of the Long Range Interceptor (LRI-II).[3] On December 12, 2013, the Coast Guard placed a delivery order valued at $3.973 million for the first four LRI-II cutter boats.[3] The first LRI-II was delivered on February 20, 2013, and commenced testing aboard the Coast Guard's first National Security Cutter, the USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750).[2][3] The LRI-II project was approved for full-rate production on June 27, 2013, after successful operational and interface testing activities with the Bertholf.[3] The third LRI-II was delivered in November 2014 to the USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751),[11] and the fourth LRI-II was delivered in February 2015 to the fourth NSC, the USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753).[12] By that time, the Coast Guard had ordered six LRI-IIs from MetalCraft.

  1. ^ "Long Range Interceptor". Integrated Deepwater System Program. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  2. ^ a b "Metalcraft/Brunswick deliver 35′ LRI to the Coast Guard". August 15, 2013. Retrieved Sep 29, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Cutter Boat Long Range Interceptor". New Wave Media, Maritime News. Feb 2014. Retrieved Sep 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "National Security Cutter (NSC)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  5. ^ "Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  6. ^ "The Troubled Waters Of "Deepwater"". CBS News, 60 Minutes. May 17, 2007. Retrieved Sep 29, 2017.
  7. ^ "Contract Awarded for the First Long Range Interceptor (dead cite)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  8. ^ Chris Parker, SIPO. "Designing the Long Range Interceptor for the Coast Guard Operator (dead cite)". Integrated Deepwater System Program. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  9. ^ Willard Marine
  10. ^ Figure 9: Long-Range Interceptor
  11. ^ USCG Acquisition Update: Long-Range Interceptor Boat Delivered To Cutter Waesche Nov. 19, 2014
  12. ^ USCG Acquisition Update: Long-Range Interceptor Boat Delivered To Cutter Hamilton Feb. 25, 2015