Category Archives: Ports Waterways and Coastal Security

“U.S. Navy Sets Sights on Fleet-Wide Anti-Torpedo Weapon Rollout in Coming Years” –Naval News

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A Navy briefing slide showing the internal components and describing the various features of the PSU_ARL Common Very Light Weight Torpedo (CVLWT) design

Naval News reports a FY2026 budget document states,

“The FY 2026 increase includes support SLQ-25E countermeasures capability improvements, and support for development of an anti-torpedo torpedo defense hard kill capability… …integration and testing the Hard Kill Program will be developed through FY 2030. The US Navy plans to install this torpedo hard-kill countermeasure on over 165 different surface ships.”

“Development will also include improvements to the NIXIE winch to enable the integration of the TWS system, the design and development of a launching system that will launch the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW) variant designed for torpedo defense. The launcher will be designed to have the capability to launch ADC-MK2 Acoustic countermeasure devices along with the CRAW countermeasure.”

Sounds like they are going to put it on every ship that has a NIXIE, which would include the National Security Cutters and perhaps the Offshore Patrol Cutters as well.

We have seen this weapon before:

Jan. 13, 2023 Seapower magazine reported that Raytheon was building 18 CRAW prototypes.

These cannot enter the fleet too soon.

What isn’t clear is if the multi-mission nature of the weapon was retained. Apparently the Mk58 torpedo can also be used against submarines as well as inbound torpedoes. Can it be used against surface ships? If so, can it target the stern/propellers/rudder? If so, it could give small cutters an effective way to forcibly stop even large ships, a capability they need for the Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission.

Where Should Our Shipbuilding Program be Going?

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Keel Laying for OPC#3 hull number 917, July 2022. Presumably future 915 is to the right and future 916 to the left.

The recent cancellation of NSC#11, suspension of work on OPCs 3 &4, an FRI regarding towing something that sounds like an OPC–probably OPC#1, the President’s oft repeated desire for 40 icebreakers, the Force Design 2028 call for “A More Agile, Capable, Responsive Fighting Force,” and the significant changes in geopolitical environment all suggest a course change is in the offing for Coast Guard shipbuilding.

Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC): 

The contract for long lead time items for NSC#11 was announced at the same time as contracts for construction of OPC#1 and long lead time items for OPC#2--Sept. 2018.

It does appear more progress was made on OPC #2 than was made on NSC #11 but the fact that we still have not seen any evidence of Argus, OPC #1, on sea trial is very troubling. This is the primary reason I believe the FRI for towing and assessment is for OPC #1. If that is the case, then what will happen to OPC #2? It appears that the hull maybe complete (see the photo above). The RFI may just be for the first such tow.

The combination of ten NSCs and a few OPCs should give us more than enough large high endurance cutters to do legacy missions that the Hamilton class WHECs used to do, but while OPCs can do anything the old WMECs could do, the Coast Guard never intended to build one for one replacements, and perhaps most importantly they are not the type of ships required for the currently increasingly hostile geopolitical environment.

OPCs are much larger than the WMECs they are replacing and therefore expensive, in fact, displacement even increased substantially after the initial contract award, but the additional size has not given us corresponding much larger capabilities with regard to law enforcement, national defense, or even Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security.

The Coast Guard will want to continue to build OPCs until an alternative design is completed, but the search for an alternative should begin immediately. We certainly should be contracting for construction of a different design by FY2030. I expect the OPC program to be truncated at 10 to 15 ships.

It should have been unrealistic to expect that the Coast Guard would be building OPCs for over two decades, but that is what happened with the NSCs. I am not sure it was wise to extend procurement of ten ships over two decades without any significant redesign.

Fast Response Cutters (FRC):

To some extent, the success of the FRCs has made up for the reduced number of larger cutters. The Coast Guard has been using them more like medium endurance cutter than like the preceding Island class patrol boats. They definitely are not being used as “fast response cutters,” sitting in port waiting for a call.

Still there are missions where greater endurance and seakeeping are essential or at least highly desirable. The Coast Guard is probably building more FRCs than they would have if a true medium endurance cutter design had been readily available.

This class has been a bright spot. The original plan was to build 58, 64 when the six for PATFORSWA were added. It now looks like a total of at 70 will be operational. Under normal circumstances that would probably be considered enough, but with the delays to the OPC program, an ever increasing demand signal, and increasing difficulties supporting over-age MECs we may see even more. It is not ideal, but it is the cutter we can have near term.

USCGC Webber was commissioned over 13 years ago. It is time to develop a mid-life refresh to make these little ships more capable. They need a capability against unmanned systems and an ability to forcibly stop ships regardless of size. There have been small running changes that have improved their endurance. There are probably other things that could be done to provide greater endurance.

Future classes:

Contracts have been let for three Polar Security Cutters. There was a Request for Information (RFI) in April as a first step toward procuring Arctic Security Cutters.

So far, I have seen no steps toward a replacement for the 87 foot WPBs, though some are essentially being replaced by 154 foot Fast Response Cutters and 45 foot Response Boat-Mediums (RB-M).

We were told the OPCs would be a bridge between the larger NSCs and the smaller FRC, but they turned out to be very nearly as large as the NSCs and almost as expensive.

We certainly need more than 35 large cutters, but they don’t all have to have the extreme endurance of the NSCs and OPCs.

To make an informed decision, the first step should be to make the new Fleet Mix Study public and ask for feedback. I am certain it would immediately justify at least one new class of cutters if not more.

In addition to the Polar Security Cutters (heavy polar icebreakers), Arctic Security Cutters (medium icebreakers), offshore patrol cutters, and Webber class patrol craft, we may need.

  • a true medium endurance cutter, preferably one adaptable to wartime missions. It might be built in cooperation with the US Navy as a prototype for a low cost, rapidly producible ASW escort that could use containerized systems.
  • an Arctic Offshore Patrol Cutter
  • a true fast response cutter, a better armed replacement for the 87 foot WPBs in important ports, capable of forcibly stopping a ship regardless of size and providing point defense against unmanned air and surface craft.
  • a small but very seaworthy replacement for the 87 foot WPBs in minor ports. These could be additional larger heavy weather MLBs like the ones being procured to replace 52 foot MLB.

Spike NLOS Missile System Photos and Video

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A FaceBook friend alerted me to photos and the video above of an exercise launch of Spike NLOS missiles from a Philippine Acero class Fast Attack Craft (FAC), a version of the Israeli Shaldag V.

I see a need for something similar in the Coast Guard.

There was a discussion of Spike NLOS in earlier post. That post showed two smaller four round launchers fitted to an 11.9 meter craft.

The missile never leaves its shipping container until it is launched.

“Spike NLOS is delivered as a ‘wooden roound’ enabling long shelf life, low maintenance, and low life-cycle cost.”

TYPHOON MLS NLOS has an eight cell Spike NLOS missile launcher and integrated Toplite stabilized observation and target acquisition system (same as on the Mk38 mod2 and mod3). Photo: RAFAEL via defense-update.com

Below is one of the Philippine Acero class launching a Spike NLOS. In the US, Spike NLOS is currently used by the US Army and it is marketed through Lockheed Martin.

Philippine Navy Acero class patrol boat launches Rafael Spike NLOS. The vessel features a Rafael Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher capable of carrying 8 Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles (limited to 4 ships only). Additionally, it is armed with one Mk.44 Bushmaster II autocannon mounted on a Rafael Typhoon Mk 30-C remote-controlled weapon station, two M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50-cal. heavy machine guns mounted on Rafael Mini Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations, and two M60 7.62 mm/30-cal. GP machine guns.

“Coast Guard Force Design 2028” –News Release

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The U.S. Coast Guard’s headquarters campus in Washington, D.C.

Below is a Coast Guard News Release.

It is too early to say where these changes will take the Coast Guard, but both the acting Commandant and the Senior Advisor to the Secretary for the Coast Guard (SASCG) Mr. Sean Plankey, are Coast Guard Academy graduates (class of 1987 and 2003). Both seem to be firmly grounded in the military nature of the Coast Guard. Both have spent a lot of time in close contact with DOD.

“Force Design 2028 is the way we will become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force (emphasis applied–Chuck) to best serve the American people,” ADM Lunday said.

Some of the steps outlined in Force Design 2028 appear specifically intended to move the Coast Guard closer to DOD.

–Align with the DoD’s “Rapid Force-Wide Review of Military Standards” for physical fitness, body composition, and grooming standards. We’ll follow DoD standards to the maximum extent possible and build processes that are necessary to ensure total force readiness.

–Increase Coast Guard engagement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to accelerate technology and capability acquisition and adoption by leveraging leading edge disruptive technology development in the private sector. This includes increasing our footprint at DIU and maximizing the number of training allowance billets available at the DIU Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program.

I certainly see a need for more attention to the Coast Guard’s Defense Readiness Mission and to Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security.

My impression is that the Coast Guard will be increasingly focused on protecting the Maritime Transportation System, particularly in cyberspace.

April 3, 2025

Coast Guard Force Design 2028

By MyCG Staff

Acting Commandant Kevin E. Lunday recently announced Force Design 2028 (FD 2028). Directed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and led by the Senior Advisor to the Secretary for the Coast Guard (SASCG) Mr. Sean Plankey, FD 2028 is creating a blueprint to ensure the Service is ready for the future and the Nation’s demands.

“Force Design 2028 is the way we will become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force to best serve the American people,” ADM Lunday said.

FD 2028 is focused on four campaigns:

  • People
  • Organization
  • Acquisition and Contracting
  • Technology

Here are some details about each campaign, including some of the first steps already underway. Additional details can be found in ALCOAST 155/25.

People
We are building the Coast Guard’s future force, starting today. Increased national demand for our Coast Guard requires a larger, more capable military workforce. This campaign will improve training systems, boost access to medical care, and modernize both the Coast Guard Reserve and the civilian management system.

Early actions:

  • Align with the DoD’s “Rapid Force-Wide Review of Military Standards” for physical fitness, body composition, and grooming standards. We’ll follow DoD standards to the maximum extent possible and build processes that are necessary to ensure total force readiness.
  • Starting in Promotion Year 2026, best qualified selection boards will be required to employ in-zone reordering to the maximum authorized by law to reorder those officers of particular merit for promotion.
  • Remove administrative burdens on our members by reducing reporting and other requirements that are redundant and of little value. (See ALCOAST 145/25 for details.)
  • Restore maximum Commander and Officer-in-Charge discretion and flexibility in their use of non-judicial punishment (NJP) under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).  This change is consistent with the ultimate responsibility entrusted to commanders to maintain good order and discipline at their units.

Organization
As global security threats, technological advancements, and operational demands continue to evolve, the Coast Guard must adapt its organizational construct and internal decision making and governance processes to remain relevant, effective, and responsive.

Early actions:

  • Delegate operational authorities to the appropriate level of command to increase mission effectiveness and reduce risk to Coast Guard personnel. The recent delegation of non-compliant vessel use of force authorities to pursuit coxswains and cutter commanding officers is one example that empowers those at the tactical edge with the authorities, capabilities, and effective command and control needed to deliver operational results.
  • Establish a USCG HQ Director of Staff, reporting to the Vice Commandant, who is responsible for streamlining executive decision-making, enhancing agility and integration, aligning strategic messaging, and optimizing HQ processes.
  • Restructure the Deputy for Personnel Readiness (DPR) enterprise to optimize support for our most valuable resource-our people. This transformation establishes a comprehensive, people-centric approach across four business lines: accessions and training, total workforce management, workforce and family services, and healthcare delivery. We will separate policy/program management from service delivery to best meet the needs of our people.
  • Restructure the Deputy for Materiel Readiness (DMR) enterprise to focus on a systems approach to assets, ensuring the Coast Guard has the right capabilities, in the right place, at the right time. This transformation includes creating new business lines to oversee the total lifecycle management of our surface, air, C5I, and shore infrastructure, and integrating acquisition and sustainment functions for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Establish the Assistant Commandant for Operational Integration and Response Policy (CG-3/5R) to align operational integration and planning at the Service level to increase decision-making speed and resource allocation to our operational commanders and advance national level planning and preparedness while increasing situational awareness for the Secretary, Department, Joint Staff, and Interagency partners.

Acquisitions and Contracting
Develop a high velocity acquisition and contracting system to rapidly deliver the assets the Service needs to fulfill its commitment to the American people.

Early actions:

  • Eliminate or minimize bureaucratic delays to delivering the assets the Service needs. An example is the recent elevation the Simplified Acquisition Procedures and micro- purchase limits to the maximum extent allowed by law and regulation, ensuring rapid distribution of goods and services to the field units charged with carrying out our front-line missions.
  • Increase Coast Guard engagement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to accelerate technology and capability acquisition and adoption by leveraging leading edge disruptive technology development in the private sector. This includes increasing our footprint at DIU and maximizing the number of training allowance billets available at the DIU Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program.
  • Improve the speed of contracting and procurement by empowering our contracting professionals in the field, reducing redundant and sequential approval and review process that add unwarranted mission risk.
  • Provide improved transparency and accountability in the contracting process through development of a quick-to-field contract tracking system and establish clear metrics and targets that consider mission impact.

Technology
The Coast Guard will accelerate the adoption of secure, state-of-the-market technologies to enhance data sharing, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness.

Early actions:

  • Leverage efficient industry solutions to dramatically accelerate the Authority To Operate (ATO) process for Information Technology systems and achieve the goal of ATOs in 30 days. This will begin with the Software Factory and minimize bureaucratic delays to deliver essential capabilities required for Coast Guard mission success.
  • Establish data teams in each mission domain to make sure we’re fully leveraging data to improve operations.
  • Establish a Rapid Response Rapid Prototype Team to transform how we deliver mission-critical technology solutions. This effort will span operations, engineering, acquisitions, finance, information technology, logistics, data science, and change management/integration – delivering proven innovation where it matters most.

How we will stay on course

An FD 2028 implementation team comprised of permanently assigned military and civilian personnel is being established and will report to the new Director of Staff.  The team will coordinate a Coast Guard wide effort to implement the Secretary’s intent on FD28 as well as continue the actions already started.

“We are executing transformational change to renew the Coast Guard,” said ADM Lunday.  “Force Design 2028 will ensure the Coast Guard remains Semper Paratus, Always Ready, to serve the American people.”

“Maritime Coastal Border Security and the Role of USCG R&D” –Marine Link

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Map shows the locations of 37 Coast Guard Sectors. Source: https://homeport.uscg.mil/Pages/Sector-Map.aspx

Marine Link provides a post by Bert Macesker, Executive Director, USCG Research and Development Center and Dr. Joe DiRenzo, the Center’s Partnership Director, that discusses what the Coast Guard R&D Center is doing to enhance maritime border security in all its forms.

Where is Our Air Cover?

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I am not really suggesting this, but having some Air National Guard on call would be comforting.

There is a hole in US defenses and the Coast Guard is likely to be the first to see the threat, “Who yah gone call?”

  • MSN reports on the growing maritime role of Air Force A-10s.
  • A bit more on how A-10s have been used in a maritime role here and here
  • I also seem to remember seeing that A-10s based in S. Korea have also trained to counter N. Korean small boats. A-10s can be a powerful anti-shipping weapon system.

If a threat, in the form of a merchant ship with containers that may be filled with missiles, mines, terrorists, a dirty bomb, a nuclear bomb, or whatever horror the mind of man can imagine, should be headed for the US, the Coast Guard is the most likely agency to detect the threat. But then what?

Can your local sector commander or even district commander call for air support from a DOD unit poised to strike a target at sea in a timely manner? I don’t think so.

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, does have a modest number of aircraft on standby, prepared to intercept air threats, mostly air national guard, but they are not trained, equipped, or prepared to take out maritime targets.

I have (several times) suggested that the Coast Guard needed at least the ability to forcibly stop any vessel, regardless of size. That would presumably allow DOD forces sufficient time to organize a response because we don’t have one pre-packaged.

I would feel a lot more comfortable if DOD units, assigned an anti-shipping role, were on standby, practiced and exercised, ready to respond to a Coast Guard call for help.

They might be Marine cruise missiles, Army attack helicopters, or Navy maritime patrol aircraft, but Air Guard A-10s look promising. This could also prepare these units for an anti-shipping role in wartime.

Target designation is always a problem in multiunit operations. Every Coast Guard unit should have at least a hand held laser target designator to allow them to mark a target for DOD units.

I know an attack using a merchant ship seems unlikely, at least in peacetime, but 9/11 was unlikely and look at the fallout from our failure to respond appropriately to the hijackings in progress, not just those killed on the ground on that day, but also two fruitless wars.

“Coast Guard response to Key bridge collapse reveals a strained service” –DefenseNews

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NTSB drone image of Francis Scott Key Bridge and Cargo Ship Dali, 26 March 2024

Defense News reports on the Coast Guard response to the allision that brought down the Key bridge in Baltimore and how it strained the service’s resources.

“…four Coast Guard cutters, at least 10 boats…27 Coast Guard civilians, 23 volunteers, 275 active duty service members and 82 reservists…These employees have been drawn from their home stations all over the country, including some as far as Alaska and California. That also means these stations are donating staff to the recovery effort in Maryland, and the Coast Guard’s operations lead said the service doesn’t have much to spare as it is.”

It is a story of an organization that, while under stress, responded successfully. It is also a cautionary tale that if we had two such emergency operations simultaneously, full response might not be possible.

It should also be seen as a testament to the Coast Guard’s agility, responsiveness, and resilience in spite of current personnel shortages.

There is also some encouraging news about steps being taken to close the Coast Guard’s current personnel shortages.

Congress has shown its intent to take action. The House cleared a bill on May 14 to authorize $12 million to fund recruiters and offices for the Coast Guard Recruiting Command and an additional $9 million for recruiting capability in fiscal 2025. That passed in a 376-16 vote.

The bill also aims to improve quality of life for Coast Guard service members, a factor that, like pay competitiveness and work-life balance, may give the private sector an edge.

With a particularly bad Hurricane season predicted, it’s good to remind the Administration and Congress that we have to be ready to do more than normal day to day operations. The Coast Guard is more than a first responder. The Coast Guard moves resources in anticipation of disaster.

Incidentally the bill linked in the quote above is H.R.7659 – Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. It is very interesting as evidence of Congress’s intentions. Take a look but be aware the Authorization is separate from the budget and even if signed into law, the authorization does not mean projects are actually funded.

Helicopter Door Gunner Takes Down Kamikaze Drone

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French Armed Forces via X

The War Zone reports, “A French Navy helicopter used machine gun fire to shoot down a Houthi drone over the Red Sea today.”

This is a potential Coast Guard capability, given its airborne use of force capability includes a door mounted rifle caliber machine gun, though I do not know if every Coast Guard Air Station has qualified gunners. The .50 caliber sniper rifle included in the package might even be more effective than the machine gun.

I am not suggesting the Coast Guard send helicopters to the Red Sea, but when the Coast Guard provides protection for vessels transiting to sea, it has generally been done with small boats with crew served rifle caliber machine guns. Ballistic Missile submarines have been an exception. They may be escorted by 82 foot patrol boats with .50 caliber machine guns in remote weapon stations. Perhaps the Coast Guard should consider providing an armed helicopter overwatch. An armed helicopter could be effective against hostile surface systems as well as air systems.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Phillips, a precision marksman at Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, displays the weaponry used by a HITRON during missions, February 23, 2010. US Coast Guard/Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby Nash

Below is a video taken by the French helicopter (an AS565 Panther, similar to the Coast Guard’s H-65s) as it shoots down the drone.

A US Navy helicopter demonstrated this capability over eight years ago. It is certainly less expensive than bringing down a drone with a missile. On the other hand, I would not want to be in a helicopter near a drone if the Navy decides to use a missile to destroy the drone.

“U.S., Indian Coast Guards Drill Against Drone Attacks In Sea Defenders 2024” –Naval News

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USCGC Bertholf and an ICG offshore patrol vessel sail together during Sea Defenders 2024.

Naval News reports,

U.S. and Indian Coast Guards held this year’s Sea Defender with recent events in the Red Sea in mind, training against both drone and piracy threats…Taking place off the Malacca Strait off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) and Indian Coast Guard vessels and aircraft held several maritime security activities in port and at sea over four days. This exercise also marked the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel visited New Delhi’s southernmost territory, strategically located at the entrance to the Malacca Strait between the Indian and Pacific oceans. 

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard both operate large numbers of Offshore Patrol Vessels. Established in 1978, the Indian Coast Guard has been growing rapidly and is now one of the largest in the world. Following the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attack, which came by sea, the Indian Coast Guard grew even more rapidly.

The Indian Coast Guard now operates 27 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), all commissioned within the last 28 years, 18 within the last ten years. The Indian CG has ordered six more. The Indian Navy also operates ten OPVs, all commissioned in the last 35 years, four commissioned within the last eleven years. The Indian Navy has ordered eleven more OPVs.

The US Coast Guard operates, I believe, 36 OPVs now, soon to be 34. Only six of those have been commissioned in the last ten years. 26 of the USCG OPVs are over 33 years old.

The NSCs are doing things we would have never expected when they were conceived.

As included in this exercise, it appears there is an emerging requirement for the Coast Guard to be prepared to counter unmanned systems of various types, both for self defense and for the defense of maritime assets. Unmanned systems are likely the weapon of choice for future terrorist attacks.

Of all Coast Guard assets, the large cutters are currently the most capable against the various types of one-way attack unmanned systems, but they are unlikely to be involved in the most likely scenarios. Attacks on passenger ships, submarines, or aircraft carriers, during transit from port to open sea seem most probable. Here we are decidedly unprepared, but perhaps PATFORSWA is leading the way.