The United States Coast Guard (US Coast Guard) has exercised options with shipbuilder Austal USA for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program.
As disclosed, the contract options approve Austal to order long lead time materials (LLTM) for another three OPCs, Austal USA’s fourth, fifth, and sixth cutters. Funds have also been provided for logistic supply items for two OPCs.
The value of the contract option is US$314 million (A$480 million).
The original OPC contract was awarded to Austal USA in June 2022 for detailed design and construction of up to eleven OPCs, with a potential value of US$3.3 billion.
To date, two of eleven OPCs in the contract have been awarded to Austal USA, as well as LLTM for a third vessel.
“These early awards reflect the strong partnership that has quickly developed between the Coast Guard and Austal USA teams, and provide an important sign of intent for OPCs 3-6,” said Austal CEO Paddy Gregg .
Work on Austal USA’s first OPC, Pickering (WMSMS 919), is well underway, with the keel laying planned for December. Construction began on Icarus (WMSMS 920) in early August.
The 110-meter OPCs will conduct their primary missions beyond 12 nautical miles from shore and will be employed anywhere US national interests require. They will provide the majority of the US Coast Guard’s offshore presence, conducting a variety of missions including law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue.
With a range of 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots and a 60-day endurance period, each OPC will be capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups, according to Austal. They will also serve as a mobile command and control platform for surge operations such as hurricane response, mass migration incidents and other events.
Furthermore, the cutters will support Arctic objectives by helping regulate and protect emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.