Polar Security Cutter program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:24, 14 March 2023

Revision as of 16:21, 8 May 2023

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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|2021|12|lc=y}} the lead ship has been delayed to 2025.<ref name="delay" />

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>

==Design==

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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" />

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="RL34391" /><ref name=HalterMay05/><ref name="halterdetails" /> This will allow the PCSs to break ice with a thickness between {{convert|6|toand|8|ft|m|1}}.<ref name="st_second" /> Designed according to the [[International Association of Classification Societies]] (IACS) ''Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships'', the PCSs will be strengthened to [[Polar Class 2]] which is intended for vessels operating year-round in moderate multi-year ice conditions.<ref name="ice class">{{cite web|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/uscg-psc-equals-meaningful-polar-presence-472887|publisher=MarineLink|title=USCG PSC Equals meaningful Polar Presence|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iacs.org.uk/download/1803|title=Requirements concerning POLAR CLASS|publisher=International Association of Classification Societies|date=April 2016|accessdate=2 January 2021}}</ref>

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> <ref>{{cite web |title=Ice-Strengthened Cutters For The U.S. Coast Guard ? |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/ice-strengthened-cutters-for-the-u-s-coast-guard/?fbclid=IwAR0T2VPthGx4Mwde-AD2v3IzdRAYynkVcDbg9XHmDum0XHqYzXTMLXDjz4g |website=Naval News| date=6 February 2021 |access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>

==Ship list==