Polar Security Cutter program
The Polar Icebreaker Program is the program to replace the United States Coast Guards aging fleet of icebreaker. 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 3 heavy and 3 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 (Ports, waterways, and coastal security), research, search and rescue, and logistic support and vessel escort.[1][2] The first icebreaker will be funded by the US Navy.[3]
History
In 2012 the US Coast Guard established the heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program. In 2016, the Coast Guard established an integrated program office with the US Navy to use the Navy's shipbuilding expertise for acquiring the icebreakers. The USCG released draft system specifications in April of 2017, and the draft request for proposal (RFP) in October of 2017, and the RFP for advance planning and detailed design of the icebreakers was released in March of 2018.[4] In January 2018, Commandant Adm. Zukunft stated due to the possibility of the world changing in the future, the icebreakers will have space, weight, and power (SWAP) reservations designed into the ship for modular weapon systems, making the icebreaker an offensive platform.[5]
Design
The Heavy polar icebreaker will be able to break through ice that is not less than 6 and a half feet and 3 knots, independently break through ice that is 21 feet thick, can operate 80 days without replenishment, and be able to transmit data and voice information with Department of Defense, Homeland Security and National Science Foundation assets. The medium icebreaker will be able to break ice not less than 4 and one half feet thick at 3 knots and operate for 80 days without replenishment, both icebreakers will be able to employ removable weapons to use against surface targets as delivered and will be equipped with surface and air search radars, and will have damage control capabilities contributing to the survivability of the cutters.[6] The PIB will be built to a mix of military and commercial standards, however to drive down costs it will maximize the use of commercial standards.[7]
- ^ "Polar Icebreaker". www.dcms.uscg.mil. United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ "Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ "US Senate Bill Includes Funding for New Icebreakers". Retrieved 11 May 2018.
The subcommittee then decided that the funding for one icebreaker would come entirely from the Navy's shipbuilding account
- ^ "POLAR ICEBREAKER RECAPITALIZATION" (PDF). www.dcms.uscg.mil. USCG. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ "New Icebreaker Will Have Space, Power For Weapons: Coast Guard". breakingdefense.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ^ "Polar Icebreaker Operational Requirements Document" (PDF). www.dcms.uscg.mil. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ^ "Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 12 May 2018.