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Patar knight (talk | contribs) Adding short description: "United States Coast Guard program" |
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* $794 million (second vessel)
* $841 million (third vessel)
* $1.9 billion (total for three vessels)<ref name="RL34391_sept2022" />
| Built range =
| In service range = * 2024– (planned)
* Mid-to-late 2020s (current estimate)<ref name="RL34391_jul2023" />
| 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|
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>
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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="
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>
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|2027 (planned)
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract
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| TBD
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| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract
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| TBD
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