Polar Security Cutter program
{{Short description|United States Coast Guard program}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = | display title = }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:Polar security cutter rendering.png | Ship image size = | Ship caption = Rendering of the Polar Security Cutter design to be built by VT Halter Marine }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = | Builders = Bollinger Shipyards | Operators = United States Coast Guard | Class before = Polar-class icebreaker | Class after = | Subclasses = | Cost = * $1.038 billion (first vessel)
| Built range = | In service range = * 2024 (planned) | In commission range = | Total ships planned = 3 | Total ships building = | Total ships completed = | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship type = | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = {{convert|22900|LT|abbr=on}} | Ship length = {{convert|460|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|88|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship depth = | Ship ice class = Polar Class 2 | Ship power = Caterpillar main diesel generators | Ship propulsion = Diesel-electric; two ABB Azipod propulsion units and one shaft line | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship endurance = 90 days | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = Berthing for 186 persons | Ship complement = | Ship armament = *2 × Mk 44 30mm autocannon
| Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = Helipad and hangar | Ship notes = }} |
The Polar Security Cutter Program is a program to recapitalize the United States Coast Guard's aging fleet of icebreakers, currently consisting of the heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star and the medium icebreaker 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 statutory missions in the Arctic as well as support the United States Antarctic Program with Operation Deep Freeze.{{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}}{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|accessdate=2 January 2021}}
The PSC program is managed by the USCG and United States Navy through an integrated program office. On 23 April 2019, Halter Marine Inc was awarded the contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC. The contract option for the second PSC was exercised on 30 December 2021. {{asof|2023|07}}, the first vessel is expected to enter service in mid-to-late-2020s and will be named USCGC Polar Sentinel.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43376/delivery-of-the-u-s-coast-guards-new-heavy-icebreaker-has-been-delayed-yet-again|title=Delivery Of The U.S. Coast Guard's New Heavy Icebreaker Has Been Delayed Yet Again|publisher=The Drive|date=3 December 2021|accessdate=31 December 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2022-02-24|title=USCG's First Polar Security Cutter to be Named Polar Sentinel|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/uscgs-first-polar-security-cutter-named-494580|access-date=2022-02-24|website=MarineLink|language=en}}
In the future, the PSCs will be followed by the acquisition of three medium icebreakers referred to as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC).
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".In U.S. parlance, "heavy icebreakers" are icebreakers capable of breaking ice up to {{convert|6|ft|m|1}} thick at a speed of {{convert|3|kn}}. In the same year, the USCG's only operational heavy icebreaker at the time, USCGC Polar Sea, was sidelined following engine failure.{{cite web|url=https://coastguardnews.com/engine-troubles-sideline-coast-guard-cutter-polar-sea/2010/06/25/|title=Engine troubles sideline Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea|date=25 June 2010|publisher=Coast Guard News|accessdate=2 January 2022}}
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.{{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}}
In February 2017, the USCG awarded five fixed-price contracts for heavy polar icebreaker design studies to Bollinger Shipyards, Italy's Fincantieri Marine Group, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Singapore's Halter Marine Inc .
In addition to developing heavy polar icebreaker designs with associated cost and schedule figures, the goal of these industry studies was to identify design and system approaches to reduce acquisition costs and accelerate production timelines.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1613746/acquisition-update-us-coast-guard-awards-multiple-contracts-for-heavy-polar-ice/|title=Acquisition update: U.S. Coast Guard awards multiple contracts for heavy polar icebreaker industry studies|date=22 February 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}}
In April 2017, a draft system specification as part of a request for information (RFI) in which the USCG sought questions, comments and feedback related to technology risks, sustainability, producibility, and affordability of heavy polar icebreakers.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1614305/acquisition-update-coast-guard-releases-draft-polar-icebreaker-specifications/|title=Acquisition update: Coast Guard releases draft polar icebreaker specifications|date=4 April 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard}} A draft request for proposal (RFP) was released in October 2017,{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1770631/us-navy-releases-draft-request-for-proposal-for-coast-guard-icebreaker-design-c/|title=U.S. Navy releases draft request for proposal for Coast Guard icebreaker design, construction|date=19 October 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}} followed by the official request for proposal for the advance procurement and detail design for a heavy polar icebreaker with options for detail design and construction for up to three vessels in March 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1612023/rfp-released-for-coast-guards-heavy-polar-icebreaker/|title=RFP released for Coast Guard's heavy polar icebreaker|publisher=United States Coast Guard|date=5 March 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}
In September 2018, the Coast Guard announced that the icebreakers would be called "Polar Security Cutters", that they would have the designation WMSP, and that the Coast Guard wanted the icebreakers to be capable of carrying deck-mounted weapons if needed.{{cite web |title=Coast Guard Renames New Icebreaker Program 'Polar Security Cutter' |url=https://news.usni.org/2018/09/27/36846 |website=USNI News |date=27 September 2018 |accessdate=27 September 2018}} The vessels will be homeported in Seattle, Washington.{{cite web |title=U.S. Coast Guard Announces Homeport of Polar Security Cutter |url=https://seapowermagazine.org/u-s-coast-guard-announces-homeport-of-polar-security-cutter/ |website=SeaPower |date=17 June 2019 |accessdate=17 June 2019}}
On 23 April 2019, the $745.9 million contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC was won by Halter Marine. The contract also included options for the construction of two additional PSCs that, if exercised, would bring the total acquisition cost to $1.9 billion excluding government-furnished equipment.{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1822054/acquisition-update-coast-guard-and-navy-integrated-program-office-awards-polar/|title=Acquisition update: Coast Guard and Navy Integrated Program Office awards polar security cutter detail design and construction contract|date=23 April 2019|accessdate=2 January 2022|publisher=United States Coast Guard}} Halter Marine, one of the shipyards that had previously participated in the heavy polar icebreaker industry studies, reportedly beat out competing bids from at least Fincantieri Marine Group and Bollinger Shipyards.{{cite web|url=https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-coast-guard-awards-contract-new-polar-class-icebreaker|title= U.S. Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Polar Class Icebreaker|publisher=High North News|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=2 January 2022}} In its press release on 7 May 2019, Halter Marine stated that it had teamed with Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) and based its PSC design on the proposed German polar research vessel Polarstern II. Other companies involved included ABB and Trident Maritime Systems for propulsion system, Raytheon for command and control systems integration, Caterpillar for main engines, Jamestown Metal Marine for joiner package, and Bronswerk for the HVAC system.{{cite web |title=VT Halter Marine Awarded the USCG Polar Security Cutter |url=http://www.vthm.com/public/files/20190507.pdf |website=VT Halter Marine |date=7 May 2019|accessdate=12 May 2019}}
On 30 December 2021, the USCG exercised the $552.6 million option for the construction of the second PSC.{{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}}
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|2023|7|lc=y}} the lead ship has been delayed and the delivery may not occur until 2028.{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|date=10 July 2023 |accessdate=13 July 2023}} The Government Accountability Office has identified four primary factors contributing to delay in PSC design maturity: general lack of experience for designing and building icebreakers in the United States, the complexity of the PSC's design, significant changes from the original design, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105949|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Polar Security Cutter Needs to Stabilize Design Before Starting Construction and Improve Schedule Oversight|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=27 July 2023|accessdate=28 July 2023}}
In November 2022, Bollinger Shipyards announced that it would buy VT Halter Marine and oversee the construction of the Polar Security Cutters.{{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}} 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.{{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}}
In August 2023, Bollinger Shipyards began steel cutting for eight "prototype modules" for the first Polar Security Cutter.{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/09/bollinger-cuts-first-steel-on-polar-security-cutter-polar-sentinel|title=Bollinger Cuts First Steel on Polar Security Cutter|date=9 August 2023|accessdate=10 August 2023|publisher=USNI News}}
On 7 May 2024, the Congressional Budget Office testified before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the total cost of three vessels would be $5.1 billion, about 60% more than the Coast Guard's estimate in March 2024, and the delivery of the first vessel would be in 2029. In December 2024, it was estimated that the vessel would be operational in 2030 at the earliest.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/18/new-u-arctic-icebreakers-won-ready-2030-lawmakers-/|title=New U.S. Arctic icebreakers won't be ready until 2030, lawmakers say|website=Washington Times|date=18 December 2024|accessdate=21 December 2024}} When subcommittee chair Carlos A. Giménez asked why the Polar Security Cutter design was only 67% complete after five years of work, a Government Accountability Office witness explained that nothing like the Polar Security Cutter has been built in the United States in 50 years; American shipbuilders have no recent experience building large icebreakers. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Paul Thomas reminded the subcommittee that Halter Marine chose to base the PSC design upon the proposed Polarstern II design, rather than upon an existing Finnish icebreaker suggested by the Coast Guard. Because the Polarstern II has never been built, its design is necessarily incomplete.{{cite news |last=Ruskin |first=Liz |date=7 May 2024 |title=The U.S. was supposed to get keys to a new heavy icebreaker this year. Instead, construction is years late as costs soar. |url=https://alaskapublic.org/2024/05/07/the-u-s-was-supposed-to-get-keys-to-a-new-heavy-icebreaker-this-year-instead-construction-is-years-late-as-costs-soar/ |work=Alaska Public Media |location=Washington, DC |access-date=8 May 2024}}
On 25 March 2025, Bollinger Shipyards secured a $951 million contract modification for the Polar Security Cutter program. The completion of the first vessel is anticipated by May 2030.{{cite web|url=https://www.bollingershipyards.com/news/bollinger-shipyards-secures-951-million-u-s-coast-guard-contract-modification-for-polar-security-cutter-program/|title=Bollinger Shipyards secures $951 million U.S. Coast Guard Contract Modification for Polar Security Cutter Program|website=Bollinger Shipyards|date=25 March 2025|accessdate=26 March 2025}}
Design
File:Polar Security Cutter.jpg
The Polar Security Cutters will be the largest icebreakers ever commissioned by the United States Coast Guard and will temporarily{{clarify|date=February 2025}} be the largest coast guard vessel in the world. With an overall length of {{convert|460|ft|m}}, beam of {{convert|88|ft|m}}, and a full load displacement of {{convert|22900|LT}},{{cite web|url=http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|title=Polar Security Cutter|publisher=VT Halter|accessdate=2 June 2019|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602060659/http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{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}} The PSCs will have accommodation for up to 186 crew, scientists and other personnel, and endurance time of 90 days.
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. This will allow the PSCs to break ice with a thickness between {{convert|6|and|8|ft|m|1}}. Designed according to the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships, the PSCs will be strengthened to Polar Class 2 which is intended for vessels operating year-round in moderate multi-year ice conditions.{{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}}{{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}}
The PSCs will feature a combat system derived from the Aegis Combat System. The vessels have been said to include "space, weight, and electrical power set aside to carry offensive weapons".{{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}}{{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}}
Ships in class
Notes
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