“HMS Coventry (D118) Sea of Fire” –Video

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Above is a video that I saw on Cdr Salamander’s “Full Bore Friday.” This happened about 43 years ago so there is a good chance you may not know about it. The British lost several ships but still won the war. Ironically if Argentina had waited for a few months some of the critical ships would have been decommissioned, most importantly the two HMS Fearless Landing Platform Docks. Instead they remained in commission until 1999 and 2002.

The HMS Coventry was slightly smaller than a Nation Security Cutter or an Offshore Patrol Cutter. During the fighting the Type 42 had no close in weapon system but they were added shortly after the fighting ended.

It was a failure to add what was needed.

“COAST GUARD EXERCISES OPTIONS ON $3 BILLION OFFSHORE PATROL CUTTER CONTRACT” –Austal News Release

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USCGC Pickering Artist rendering starboard quarter. Credit: Austal

Below is a news release from Austal Shipbuilding.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

Mobile, Ala. – The U.S. Coast Guard exercised options worth $314 million to Austal USA for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program.  The contract options provide Austal USA approval to order long lead time materials (LLTM) for another 3 OPCs, Austal USA’s 4th, 5th, and 6th cutters.  Funds have also been provided for logistic supply items for two OPCs.  The original contract was awarded to Austal USA in June 2022 included detail design and construction for up to 11 OPCs with a potential value of $3.3 billion. To date, 2 of 11 OPCs in the contract have been awarded to Austal USA.

“We are pleased to receive these contract options for long lead-time materials in support of the U.S. Coast Guard’s OPC program,” commented Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “These early awards speak to the strong partnership that has developed between the Coast Guard and Austal USA teams.  We look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership and deliver these much-needed cutters.”

Work on Austal USA’s first OPC, Pickering (WMSMS 919), is well underway with the keel laying planned for December.  Construction began on Icarus (WMSMS 920) in early August.

The 360-foot OPC will support the national security strategy for maintaining the nation’s economic, social, environmental and military security mission areas. The OPC will typically conduct its primary missions beyond 12 nautical miles from shore and will be employed anywhere the national interests require the Coast Guard’s unique blend of authorities and capabilities. OPC will provide the majority of the Coast Guard’s offshore presence conducting a variety of missions including law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue.

With a range of 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots and a 60-day endurance period, each OPC will be capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups, serving as a mobile command and control platform for surge operations such as hurricane response, mass migration incidents and other events. The cutters will also support Arctic objectives by helping regulate and protect emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.

“Coast Guard to get first MQ-9 drones” –Military Times

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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9A “Big Wing” UAS flew in the hostile climate of the Canadian Arctic. GA-ASI

Military Times reports reports,

About $266 million of the nearly $25 billion that the Coast Guard received in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law in July will be used to procure the service’s own MQ-9 Alpha long-range unmanned aerial systems, Lieutenant Commander Steve Roth said.

I am glad to see the Coast Guard buying its own airframes but I don’t understand why they are not buying the MQ-9B SeaGuardian that is optimized for over ocean search and includes Minotaur like all Coast Guard fixed wing aircraft along with link 16. From. Wikipedia:

The MQ-9Bs performance changes include a 79 ft (24 m) wingspan that has winglets and enough fuel for a 40-hour endurance at 50,000 ft (15,000 m). Features include High Definition EO/IR Full Motion Video sensor, De/Anti-Icing System, TCAS, and Automatic Take-Off & Land. The system also includes a completely redesigned & modernized integrated ground control station with 4 crew stations.

Thanks to David for bring this to my attention.

“ASW Should Be a Coast Guard Mission­–Again” –USNI

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USCGC Duane on North Atlantic Convoy Duty. AS seen from USCGC Spencer.

The US Naval Institute September Proceedings includes an argument that major cutters need to be prepared to take on anti-submarine equipment. In an long war the author envisions the Coast Guard will ultimately have their own ASW equipment but recognizes that initially the helicopters, towed array sonar, and crews could be Navy..

The author, a submariner, also believes the equipment could help with peace time missions.

Important, ASW investment would offer immediate peacetime benefits. Enhancing the Coast Guard’s underwater surveillance capabilities would directly strengthen its border security and counternarcotics missions, improve boarding team safety, and extend interdiction range in the maritime domain. Many of the technologies necessary for submarine detection would be valuable in locating low-profile drug smuggling vessels, including go-fast boats and semisubmersibles. (See “Interdicting Narcotics at Sea,” pp. 10–11, August 2025.) These crafts’ minimal radar and visual signatures pose detection challenges similar to those of modern diesel-electric submarines.

There were good reasons ASW equipment was removed from the 378s in 1991 as the Soviet Union fell apart, but things have changed. I would expect the Chinese to use their conventional submarines to lie in wait for US submarines and aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific. They are unlikely to engage American subs with their own SSNs. I think they are more likely to engage US logistics with their SSNs. The US Navy does not want to divert highly capable AAW assets to convoy escort but currently those are the only type of escorts the Navy has.

Modernizing Base Charleston and Base Seattle

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240825-G-SG988-1089. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) (left) sits moored next to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) at Coast Guard Base Seattle, Aug. 25, 2024. The Polar Star and Healy are routinely deployed to Arctic and Antarctic locations to support science research or help resupply remote stations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Chris Butters)

Coast Guard News announces two new contracts to modernized Base Seattle and Base Charleston:

Reconstruction of Pier November (second from the bottom) continues July 23, 2025, at Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Coast Guard used funding made available under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to modify an existing contract to remove submerged pilings in the vicinity of the piers to facilitate construction of new and modernized facilities to support Coast Guard major cutter operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Liberator, Containerized Launcher for Torpedoes and Maybe More

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Keyport Technicians working on a Mark 48 in early 1982. U.S. Navy Photograph No. DN-SC-86-00553.

Naval News reports,

A new line item in the U.S. Navy Fiscal Year 2026 budget is supporting a containerized Mark 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) torpedo launcher for use on unmanned surface vessels (USV) and small combatants.

But looks like there may be more to it than the very expensive Mk48 torpedo.

“Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) is leading the effort and will deliver a 3.5 hour presentation about Liberator and a related unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) payload…The Liberator provides for the development of alternative methods for launching torpedoes or similar devices…”

The Mk48 is intended to be used against the most demanding (nuclear submarines) in the most hostile environment. They have to be fast and they need to be capable of surviving great pressure. For this reason they are extremely expensive. The basic design goes back to 1972 but there have been many improvements.

Torpedo tubes are already being used to launch and recover Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). Plus we have begun seeing new cheaper torpedoes.

I find this exciting because it looks like we might have a relative inexpensive anti-surface torpedo. It would allow a Patrol Boat to stop even a large ship.

“Helsinki Shipyard Begins Construction of Canadian Polar Icebreaker” –60 Degrees North

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Canada’s Polar Max. I had the opportunity to attend the steel-cutting ceremony. Photo: Peter Rybski

60 Degrees North reports,

From an August 20th Davie press release:

In a historic milestone for the Canadian shipbuilding industry, Davie today officially began construction of the Polar Max icebreaker, a vessel that, once delivered by 2030, will redefine Canada’s Arctic capabilities.

Uniquely, Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada. Construction on the Polar Max hull will begin at Davie’s Helsinki Shipyard, which has built 100% of the complex medium to heavy icebreakers delivered from Finland over the past 25 years.

“U.S. Navy to Enhance APKWS with Air-to-Air Software” –Naval News

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Ukrainian Armed Forces shoot down a Russian missile with APKWS for the first time (photo: 
© RBC-Ukraine

I think it is obvious that the Coast Guard needs a reliable counter-drone defense. We are seeking one.

APKWS 2.75 Guided Rocket, seems to be very versatile while not costing near as much as a dedicated air to air missile. They fit on patrol boats and helicopters.

There are other systems, Anduril’s Roadrunner, RTX’s Coyote. and the Lockheed Martin Hellfire, but don’t underestimate the APKWS.

 

“Coast Guard awards contract for next generation trailerable aids to navigation boats” –CG-9

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Preliminary design of the second-generation trailerable aids to navigation boat. Rendering courtesy of Inventech Marine Solutions.

Aug. 29, 2025 —

The Acquisition Direction reports,

“The Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces awarded a contract Aug. 27 to Inventech Marine Solutions to build up to 89 second-generation trailerable aids to navigation boats (TANB II) to replace the existing trailerable aids to navigation boats (TANB), which were introduced in 2006 and are at the end of their planned service lives. Coast Guard aids to navigation teams use the TANB to place, retrieve and maintain smaller buoys; provide support for fixed navigation aids; and for transferring crews and equipment to remote shore-based equipment. TANBs can be trailered to boat ramps, which can reduce transit times and allow for faster responses to aid discrepancies.”

“The firm fixed-price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, valued at approximately $36 million, has a period of performance that extends through August 2032. The TANB II is based on a proven 27-foot parent craft design. The boats include an aluminum hull, a forward working deck, and a partially enclosed cabin that seats four crewmembers. The TANB II will be powered by twin outboards and outfitted with standard Coast Guard navigation and communication electronics. The TANB II will have the ability to tend buoys from the bow and alongside, and for the crew to access fixed aids from the top of the cabin. The capability provided by the TANB II will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to safeguard the vital waterways of the Nation’s Maritime Transportation System, which supports more than $5.4 trillion in economic activity every year.”