Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded $285.5 million for construction of the third National Security Cutter (WMSL 752), the newest and most capable multi-mission cutter in the United States Coast Guard fleet.
The contract is being funded under the Integrated Deepwater System program.
"This cutter is the third in the class of new, high performance cutters that will significantly enhance the maritime security capabilities and mission execution of the United States Coast Guard," said Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman’s Ship Systems sector. “We are proud to serve our Coast Guard customer.”
The design for the National Security Cutter (NSC) has evolved since the
first NSC was proposed in 2002 to meet additional, homeland security-specific
requirements identified by the Coast Guard for operations in a post-9/11
operating environment. These include Chemical, Biological and Radiological
facilities, a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), and more
robust aviation installations, among others.
Northrop Grumman is leading the construction effort, and the ship will be manufactured at the company's Pascagoula facility.
The NSC will be 418 feet long with a 4,300 ton displacement at full load,
powered by a combined diesel and
gas turbine power propulsion plant driving
twin screws with a maximum speed of 28 knots. The cutter will include an aft
launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive
flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned
aircraft, and state-of-the-art command and control systems. In addition, the
cutter features improved habitability and a sailor-centric design to
facilitate optimized crewing and enhance onboard quality of life.