Long Range Interceptor

Image:USCG long range interceptor aboard Bertholf.jpg

The Long Range Interceptor (LRI) is an 11-meter (35 feet) high speed launch vessel designed to be deployed from United States Coast Guard cutters via a rear launching ramp.

{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/lri.htm|title=Long Range Interceptor|publisher=Integrated Deepwater System Program|accessdate=2007-09-01}}

The Long Range Interceptor is an aluminum boat, powered by Ultrajet brand water-jets, for intercepting and boarding suspect vessels.

{{cite web|url=https://www.workboat.com/archive/metalcraftbrunswick-deliver-35-lri-to-the-coast-guard/|title=Metalcraft/Brunswick deliver 35′ LRI to the Coast Guard|date=August 15, 2013|accessdate=Sep 29, 2017}} It mounts a radar, special shock-proof seats, and can travel at {{convert|35|kn|km/h}}. They can be armed with machine guns or grenade launchers, and can be equipped with ballistic panels for crew protection when required.

The National Security Cutters (NSC) have a rear launching/retrieval ramp, and carry two launches, either two of the smaller 7-meter USCG Short Range Prosecutors, or two USCG Long Range Interceptors, or one of each.

{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/nsc.htm|title=National Security Cutter (NSC)|publisher=Integrated Deepwater System Program|accessdate=2007-09-01}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/opc.htm|title=Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC)|publisher=Integrated Deepwater System Program|accessdate=2007-09-01}}

Under the Integrated Deepwater System Program,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-troubled-waters-of-deepwater/|title=The Troubled Waters Of "Deepwater"|date=May 17, 2007|publisher=CBS News, 60 Minutes|accessdate=Sep 29, 2017}} the US Coast Guard's outside private contracting company, Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), signed a $2.9 million contract for the construction of one Long Range Interceptor in February 2006 with Willard Marine.

{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/media/newsletter_feb06-05.htm|title=Contract Awarded for the First Long Range Interceptor (dead cite)|publisher=Integrated Deepwater System Program|accessdate=2007-09-01}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/media/newsletter_april06-03.htm|title=Designing the Long Range Interceptor for the Coast Guard Operator (dead cite)|author=Chris Parker, SIPO|publisher=Integrated Deepwater System Program|accessdate=2007-09-01}}[http://www.willardmarine.com/ Willard Marine] However, because the LRI's design did not meet Coast Guard's requirements, the Coast Guard planned to hold a full and open competition for additional LRIs that would comply with future NSCs requirements.[https://books.google.com/books?id=2g17Lx-AWWUC&dq=USCG+Long+Range+Interceptors+delivered&pg=PA38 Figure 9: Long-Range Interceptor]

In June 2012, the United States Coast Guard selected MetalCraft Marine U.S. in Cape Vincent, New York, and awarded a five-year production contract with a potential total value of up to $10.2 million with the option to build up to ten of the latest version of the Long Range Interceptor (LRI-II).

{{cite web|url=http://magazines.marinelink.com/tags/person/cutter-boat-long-range-interceptor|title=Cutter Boat Long Range Interceptor|publisher=New Wave Media, Maritime News|date=Feb 2014|accessdate=Sep 29, 2017}} On December 12, 2013, the Coast Guard placed a delivery order valued at $3.973 million for the first four LRI-II cutter boats. The first LRI-II was delivered on February 20, 2013, and commenced testing aboard the Coast Guard's first National Security Cutter, the {{USCGC|Bertholf|WMSL-750}}. The LRI-II project was approved for full-rate production on June 27, 2013, after successful operational and interface testing activities with the Bertholf. The third LRI-II was delivered in November 2014 to the {{USCGC|Waesche|WMSL-751}},[http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-9/Newsroom/In%20The%20News%20Archives/2014/cutterboats112414.pdf?ver=2017-05-23-124707-147 USCG Acquisition Update: Long-Range Interceptor Boat Delivered To Cutter Waesche Nov. 19, 2014] and the fourth LRI-II was delivered in February 2015 to the fourth NSC, the {{USCGC|Hamilton|WMSL-753}}.

[http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-9/Newsroom/In%20The%20News%20Archives/2015/cutterboats022515.pdf?ver=2017-05-23-124801-303 USCG Acquisition Update: Long-Range Interceptor Boat Delivered To Cutter Hamilton Feb. 25, 2015] By that time, the Coast Guard had ordered six LRI-IIs from MetalCraft.