Austal USA starts construction on new US Coast Guard Heritage-class cutter.

According to information published by Austal USA on August 29, 2024, the company has commenced construction on a new U.S. Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. The new vessel, Pickering (WSMM 919), is the first to be built under a contract that could include up to 11 cutters, with a potential total value of $3.3 billion.
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Steel cutting ceremony of the Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter Pickering. (Picture source: Austal USA)

The 360-foot OPCs are envisioned to play a vital role in safeguarding national interests across various domains, including economic, social, environmental, and military security.

Designed to perform missions beyond 12 nautical miles from shore, these cutters are equipped to operate both independently and as part of larger task forces.

Their mission set includes law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security, and defense operations. The cutters offer a range of 10,200 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots and have a 60-day endurance, making them versatile platforms for command and control during surge operations like hurricane responses and mass migration incidents.

The new OPCs will bolster the Coast Guard's offshore capabilities, enabling a broad spectrum of operations such as law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue missions. They are also positioned to support Arctic objectives, safeguarding emerging commerce and energy exploration activities in Alaska.

Austal USA has committed substantial investments, exceeding $500 million, to enhance its shipbuilding capacity, including both aluminum and steel ship production. The company has recently initiated the construction of a new assembly building, expanding its manufacturing space by 192,000 square feet. This facility is designed with three bays, two of which are specifically sized for the assembly of the OPCs.

About the ship

With a displacement of 4,500 long tons when fully loaded, the vessel measures 360 feet (110 meters) in length, has a beam of 54 feet (16 meters), and a draft of 17 feet (5.2 meters).

It is powered by four diesel generators, each producing 940 eKW, and is propelled by two Fairbanks Morse 16V28/33D STC diesel engines, providing a total output of 7,280 kW (9,760 hp) at 1,000 rpm.

This setup allows the USCGC Pickering to reach speeds of up to 22.5 knots (41.7 km/h or 25.9 mph) and achieve a range of 10,200 nautical miles (18,900 km or 11,700 miles) at a cruising speed of 14 knots (26 km/h or 16 mph). Designed for extended deployments, the vessel has an endurance of 60 days and is equipped to carry three Over-the-Horizon boats.