 Rendering of the Polar Security Cutter design to be built by VT Halter Marine
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Bollinger Shipyards |
| Operators | United States Coast Guard |
| Preceded by | Polar-class icebreaker |
| Cost | |
| In service |
|
| Planned | 3 |
| On order | 2[3] |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 22,900 long tons (23,300 t) |
| Length | 460 ft (140 m) |
| Beam | 88 ft (27 m) |
| Ice class | Polar Class 2 |
| Installed power | Caterpillar main diesel generators |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric; two ABB Azipod propulsion units and one shaft line |
| Endurance | 90 days |
| Capacity | Berthing for 186 persons |
| Armament |
|
| Aviation facilities | Helipad and hangar |
The Polar Security Cutter Program is a program to recapitalize the United States Coast Guard's aging fleet of icebreakers, currently consisting of the heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star and the medium icebreaker USCGC Healy, with three new multi-mission vessels referred to as Polar Security Cutters (PSC). These heavy polar icebreakers will allow the USCG to perform its statutory missions in the Arctic as well as support the United States Antarctic Program with Operation Deep Freeze.[4][5]
The PSC program is managed by the USCG and United States Navy through an integrated program office. On 23 April 2019, Halter Marine Inc was awarded the contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC.[4] The contract option for the second PSC was exercised on 30 December 2021.[3] As of July 2023[update], the first vessel is expected to enter service in mid-to-late-2020s and will be named USCGC Polar Sentinel.[6][7][8]
In the future, the PSCs will be followed by the acquisition of three medium icebreakers referred to as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC).[5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
RL34391_sept2022was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Testimony on the Cost of the Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter". Congressional Budget Office. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Halter Marine is awarded the second Polar Security Cutter for the United States Coast Guard". ST Engineering. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Polar Security Cutter". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ a b Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service, retrieved 2 January 2021
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
RL34391_jul2023was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Delivery Of The U.S. Coast Guard's New Heavy Icebreaker Has Been Delayed Yet Again". The Drive. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "USCG's First Polar Security Cutter to be Named Polar Sentinel". MarineLink. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-02-24.