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{{Short description|United States Coast Guard program}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin <!-- full code -->
| infobox caption = <!-- keywords: yes, nodab; or caption text -->
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{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name =
| Builders = [[
| Operators = [[United States Coast Guard]]
| Class before = [[Polar-class icebreaker]]
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| Cost = * $1.038 billion (first vessel)
* $794 million (second vessel)
* $841 million (third vessel)<ref name="RL34391_sept2022" />
* $
| Built range =
| In service range = *
* May 2030 (current estimate)<ref name="bollinger_March2025_cm" />
| In commission range =
| Total ships planned = 3
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|}
The '''Polar Security Cutter Program''' is a program to recapitalize the [[United States Coast Guard|United States Coast Guard']]s aging fleet of [[icebreaker]]s, currently consisting of the heavy icebreaker [[USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)|USCGC ''Polar Star'']] and the medium icebreaker [[USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)|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 [[Missions of the United States Coast Guard|statutory missions]] in the Arctic as well as support the [[United States Antarctic Program]] with [[Operation Deep Freeze]].<ref name="uscg_psc">{{cite web|title=Polar Security Cutter|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Programs/Surface-Programs/Polar-Icebreaker/|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="
The PSC program is managed by the USCG and [[United States Navy]] through an integrated program office. On 23 April 2019, [[Halter Marine|Halter Marine Inc]] was awarded the contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC.<ref name="uscg_psc" /> The contract option for the second PSC was exercised on 30 December 2021.<ref name="st_second" />
In the future, the PSCs will be followed by the acquisition of three medium icebreakers referred to as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC).<ref name="
==Project timeline==
In 2010, the ''High Latitude Mission Analysis Report'' identified a need for at least six new polar icebreakers, three of which must be what the USCG refers to as "heavy icebreakers".<ref name="
In 2012, the USCG launched a heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program and, in 2016, established an integrated program office with the US Navy to utilize the Navy's shipbuilding expertise for acquiring the new icebreakers.<ref name="gao">{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-385r|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Status of Coast Guard's Heavy Polar Icebreaker Acquisition|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=13 April 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>
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On 30 December 2021, the USCG exercised the $552.6 million option for the construction of the second PSC.<ref name="st_second" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/vt-halter-wins-contract-for-second-uscg-polar-security-cutter|title= VT Halter Wins Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter|publisher=The Maritime Executive|date=30 December 2021|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>
Initially, [[Halter Marine]] anticipated that the lead ship would be delivered in summer 2024, with the second PSC in 2025, and the third vessel in late 2027. However, {{asof|2023|7|lc=y}} the lead ship has been delayed and the delivery may not occur until 2028.<ref name="RL34391_jul2023">{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|date=10 July 2023 |accessdate=13 July 2023}}</ref> The [[Government Accountability Office]] has identified four primary factors contributing to delay in PSC design maturity: general lack of experience for designing and building icebreakers in the United States, the complexity of the PSC's design, significant changes from the original design, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="gaojuly2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105949|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Polar Security Cutter Needs to Stabilize Design Before Starting Construction and Improve Schedule Oversight|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=27 July 2023|accessdate=28 July 2023}}</ref>
In November 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced that it would buy VT Halter Marine and oversee the construction of the Polar Security Cutters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/06/bollinger-to-buy-halter-marine-shipyard-oversee-coast-guard-polar-security-cutter-program|title=UPDATED: Bollinger to Buy Halter Marine Shipyard, Oversee Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program|publisher=USNI News|date=6 November 2022|accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref> On November 22, 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced it had completed the acquisition of VT Halter Marine and ST Engineer Halter Marine Offshore. Construction of the Polar Security Cutters will still be completed in Pascagoula, MS at what will be called Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollingershipyards.com/news/bollinger-shipyards-completes-acquisition-of-vt-halter-marine-and-st-engineering-halter-marine-offshore/|title=BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF VT HALTER MARINE AND ST ENGINEERING HALTER MARINE OFFSHORE|publisher=Bollinger Shipyards|date=22 November 2022|accessdate=14 March 2023}}</ref>
In August 2023, Bollinger Shipyards began steel cutting for eight "prototype modules" for the first Polar Security Cutter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/09/bollinger-cuts-first-steel-on-polar-security-cutter-polar-sentinel|title=Bollinger Cuts First Steel on Polar Security Cutter|date=9 August 2023|accessdate=10 August 2023|publisher=USNI News}}</ref>
==Design==▼
On 7 May 2024, the [[Congressional Budget Office]] testified before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the total cost of three vessels would be $5.1 billion, about 60% more than the Coast Guard's estimate in March 2024, and the delivery of the first vessel would be in 2029.<ref name="cbo_april2024" /> In December 2024, it was estimated that the vessel would be operational in 2030 at the earliest.<ref name="wt20241218">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/18/new-u-arctic-icebreakers-won-ready-2030-lawmakers-/|title=New U.S. Arctic icebreakers won't be ready until 2030, lawmakers say|website=Washington Times|date=18 December 2024|accessdate=21 December 2024}}</ref> When subcommittee chair [[Carlos A. Giménez]] asked why the Polar Security Cutter design was only 67% complete after five years of work, a [[Government Accountability Office]] witness explained that nothing like the Polar Security Cutter has been built in the United States in 50 years; American shipbuilders have no recent experience building large icebreakers. Coast Guard Vice Admiral [[Paul F. Thomas|Paul Thomas]] reminded the subcommittee that Halter Marine chose to base the PSC design upon the proposed ''Polarstern II'' design, rather than upon an existing Finnish icebreaker suggested by the Coast Guard. Because the ''Polarstern II'' has never been built, its design is necessarily incomplete.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruskin |first=Liz |date=7 May 2024 |title=The U.S. was supposed to get keys to a new heavy icebreaker this year. Instead, construction is years late as costs soar. |url=https://alaskapublic.org/2024/05/07/the-u-s-was-supposed-to-get-keys-to-a-new-heavy-icebreaker-this-year-instead-construction-is-years-late-as-costs-soar/ |work=[[Alaska Public Media]] |___location=Washington, DC |access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref>
The Polar Security Cutters will be the largest icebreakers ever commissioned by the United States Coast Guard and the largest coast guard vessel in the world. With an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|460|ft|m}}, beam of {{convert|88|ft|m}}, and a full load displacement of {{convert|22900|LT}},<ref name="vthalter-psc">{{cite web|url=http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|title=Polar Security Cutter|publisher=VT Halter|accessdate=2 June 2019}}</ref> they will be bigger, wider and heavier than the current record-holder, the medium icebreaker USCGC ''Healy''. The general design is reportedly based on the proposed German polar research vessel ''Polarstern II'' which has been modified and adapted to USCG requirements such as long open water transit from its home port to Antarctica.<ref name="halterdetails">{{cite web|title=VT Halter Marine Details Coast Guard Icebreaker Bid |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/05/08/vt-halter-marine-details-coast-guard-icebreaker-bid |website=USNI News |date=8 May 2019 |accessdate=8 May 2019}}</ref> The PCSs will have accommodation for up to 186 crew, scientists and other personnel, and endurance time of 90 days.<ref name="st_second" />▼
On 25 March 2025, Bollinger Shipyards secured a $951 million contract modification for the Polar Security Cutter program. The completion of the first vessel is anticipated by May 2030.<ref name="bollinger_March2025_cm">{{cite web|url=https://www.bollingershipyards.com/news/bollinger-shipyards-secures-951-million-u-s-coast-guard-contract-modification-for-polar-security-cutter-program/|title=Bollinger Shipyards secures $951 million U.S. Coast Guard Contract Modification for Polar Security Cutter Program|website=Bollinger Shipyards|date=25 March 2025|accessdate=26 March 2025}}</ref>
▲==Design==
[[File:Polar Security Cutter.jpg|thumb|right|Rendering of a Polar Security Cutter at sea.]]
▲The Polar Security Cutters will be the largest icebreakers ever commissioned by the United States Coast Guard and will temporarily{{clarify|date=February 2025}} be the largest coast guard vessel in the world. With an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|460|ft|m}}, beam of {{convert|88|ft|m}}, and a full load displacement of {{convert|22900|LT}},<ref name="vthalter-psc">{{cite web|url=http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|title=Polar Security Cutter|publisher=VT Halter|accessdate=2 June 2019|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602060659/http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|url-status=dead}}</ref> they will be bigger, wider and heavier than the current record-holder, the medium icebreaker USCGC ''Healy''. The general design is reportedly based on the proposed German polar research vessel ''Polarstern II'' which has been modified and adapted to USCG requirements such as long open water transit from its home port to Antarctica.<ref name="halterdetails">{{cite web|title=VT Halter Marine Details Coast Guard Icebreaker Bid |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/05/08/vt-halter-marine-details-coast-guard-icebreaker-bid |website=USNI News |date=8 May 2019 |accessdate=8 May 2019}}</ref> The
Like most icebreakers built worldwide, the PSCs will have a [[diesel-electric]] power plant rated at over {{convert|45200|hp|kW|abbr=on}}. The vessels' main diesel generators will be supplied by Caterpillar and the propulsion system consisting of two [[Azipod]] propulsion units and a third fixed shaft line by [[ABB]] and Trident Maritime Systems.<ref name="
The PSCs will feature a combat system derived from the [[Aegis Combat System]].<ref name="halterdetails" /> The vessels have been said to include "space, weight, and electrical power set aside to carry offensive weapons".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2018/01/new-icebreaker-will-have-space-power-for-weapons-coast-guard/|title=New Icebreaker Will Have Space, Power For Weapons: Coast Guard|publisher=Breaking Defence|date=10 January 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>
==
{| class="wikitable"
! align = center|Ship
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| {{USCGC|Polar Sentinel|WMSP-21|2}}
| WMSP-21
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
|2027 (planned)
|2028 (planned)<ref name="2023delay">{{cite web|title=GAO: Polar Security Cutter Design Won't Complete Until 2024, Delivery of First Hull Estimated in 2028 |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/03/gao-polar-security-cutter-design-wont-complete-until-2024-delivery-of-first-hull-estimated-in-2028 |website=USNI News |date=3 Aug 2023 |accessdate=4 Aug 2023}}</ref>
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract
|-
|
| WMSP-22
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
|
|
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract
|-
| Polar Glacier
| WMSP-23
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
|
|
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Authorized in National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senate-passes-2023-defense-bill-with-king-backed-provisions-to-invest-in-maine-shipbuilding-strengthen-national-security-and-support-jobs/
|title=ICYMI: Senate Passes 2023 Defense Bill with King-Backed Provisions to Invest in Maine Shipbuilding, Strengthen National Security and Support Jobs |date=16 December 2022 |publisher=Senator Angus King (I-ME) |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>
|}
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