The Polar Security Cutter Program is the program to replace the United States Coast Guard's aging fleet of icebreakers. The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, and one medium icebreaker, the USCGC Healy. Both ships are planned to be replaced by three heavy and three medium icebreakers. The new fleet of icebreakers will allow the USCG to perform missions in the Arctic such as defense operations and readiness; defending U.S. sovereignty and interests; national security activities and maritime safety; PWCS ; research; search and rescue; and logistic support and vessel escort. The first icebreaker will be funded by the U.S. Navy.
History
The U.S. Coast Guard established the heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program in 2012. In 2016, the Coast Guard established an integrated program office with the U.S. Navy to use the Navy's shipbuilding expertise for acquiring the icebreakers. The USCG released draft system specifications in April 2017, a draft request for proposal in October 2017, and the RFP for advance planning and detailed design in March 2018. In January 2018, Commandant Adm. Zukunft said that "in the event this world changes in the next 5, 10, even 15 years from now," the icebreakers will be designed with space, weight, and power reservations sufficient to weaponize the icebreakers at some point in the future. 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. On April 23, 2019 the Coast Guard and the Navy awarded VT Halter Marine a $745M detailed design and construction contract for the Coast Guard’s lead Polar Security Cutter. The contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs, and if exercised the total contract cost will be $1.9 billion, not including government-furnished equipment. According to a press release dated 7 May 2019 announcing the PSC contract, VT Halter Marine teamed with Technologies Associates, Inc., in the overall design based upon the proposed German polar research vesselPolarstern II. In addition to TAI, VT Halter Marine has teamed with ABB/Trident Marine for the PSC's Azipodpropulsion system, Raytheon for command and controlsystems integration, Caterpillar for the main engines, Jamestown Metal Marine for joiner package, and Bronswerk for the HVAC system. Also, VT Halter Marine anticipates that the lead ship will be delivered in 2024, with the second PSC in 2025, and the third in late 2027. The first three PSCs will be homeported in Seattle, Washington.
Design
The polar security cutter will have a length of, beam of, and have a full load displacement of. The polar security cutter will be based off a German research vessel that will be modified to meet USCG requirements, it will have a diesel-electric propulsion system, and will have accommodations for 186 crew, scientists, and others as a part of mission packages. The polar security cutters combat system will be derived from the Aegis Combat System, and the Coast Guard has not decided what weapons the cutters will carry. The polar security cutter should be able to break through ice of at, independently break through pressure ridges thick, and be able to operate for 80 days without replenishment. The medium icebreaker should be able to break ice not less than thick at 3 kts and operate for 80 days without replenishment. Both icebreakers will be capable of surface defense using removable weapons and will be capable of fitting with additional sensors and weapons. The ships will be equipped with surface and air search radars, will be capable of communications with other Department of Defense, Coast Guard, NOAA, and National Science Foundation ships and aircraft. The Polar Icebreakers will be built to a mix of military and commercial standards. The PSC propulsion system will be a diesel-electric plant generating over.
