New Long Range Interceptor

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NCS Hamilton Christening
U.S. Coast Guard photo

The Acquisition Directorate’s Blog is reporting that the Coast Guard is ordering four Long Range Interceptors. These are 11 meter boats specifically for operation from the stern ramp of Bertholf Class National Security Cutters. This is a second generation boat replacing the Coast Guard’s first effort.

“The LRI-II is 35 feet long with a range of over 220 nautical miles and capable of achieving speeds in excess of 38 knots. The stern-launched LRI-II’s high speed and extended range significantly enhances its host cutter’s ability to execute missions while underway, particularly in migrant interdiction and law enforcement operations where teams need to be put on scene quickly. Its ability to extend the reach of its host cutter is also critical to search and rescue operations, enabling NSC cutter crews to patrol larger search areas. The LRI-II can carry up to 15 passengers, including crew, and safely operate in seas up to 13 feet.”

Indian CG Commisions their Eighth “FRC”

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Photo: Rajshree class IPV (Wiki Info) Click on the photo for larger size

Indian Coast Guard is on a roll. NetIndian is reporting they have just commissioned their eighth new Inshore Patrol Vessel, CGS Rajdhwaj, essentially a fast response cutter, except that theirs is a bit larger, faster, and more heavily armed. Doesn’t have quite the range though. The ship is the last in the series of eight.

The first of these Rajshree-class Inshore Patrol Vessels was commissioned only in Feb. 2012.

Another Successful Laser Test

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Business Insider reports another successful test of a laser weapon. This time by the Army from a truck mounted system. Nothing here about how the system recognized the incoming threat but apparently good enough for taking out inbound mortar rounds and UAVs,

Why do we care–

  • Makes the magazine essentially infinitely deep.
  • Don’t have to keep explosives on board that constitute a hazard of secondary explosion.
  • Maybe turn the power down when you need a non-lethal weapon.

Contrary to the report I don’t see the project’s seventh year, 2013 fiscal year $12.4 million budget as staggering. Don’t think this author has not covered a lot of DOD projects.

CG to get C-27J

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uscg-c-27j-impression
Alenia Aermacchi impression of a C-27J Spartan in U.S. Coast Guard livery. (Photo: Alenia Aermacchi)

I did note this in a comment on the previous post about this, but its probably too important to not to have its own post. Apparently we have confirmation that the Coast Guard will be getting the Air Force’s excess C-27Js.

Question is, if we were going to buy 36 HC-144s and we have bought 18, doesn’t getting 14 C–27s still leave us 4 planes short? and if we are giving some older C-130s to the Forrest Service perhaps a few more?

Does it mean the Coast Guard will be getting more C-130Js?

Time to replace the 52 footers? New Larger MLBs for D13, Maybe the Arctic?

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File:USCG 52 foot motor lifeboat Intrepid, 2009 11 18.pngUS Coast Guard photo

The Coast Guard has four 52 foot motor life boats, all built in the 1960s, all in the Thirteenth District:

Victory -Station Yaquina Bay, Newport, Ore.
Invincible II -Station Grays Harbor, Westport, Wash.
Triumph II -Station Cape Disappointment, Ilwaco, Wash.
Intrepid –Station Coos Bay, Charleston, Ore.

The Coast Guard’s information sheet regarding this class is available here (pdf). There is also a short Wikipedia entry here.

These boats were brought to my attention by a reader who felt they needed replacement and further suggested that a replacement might also be useful for seasonal work in the Arctic.

I have to assume they have some unique capabilities, for these fifty year old boats to have been retained when first 44s and then 47 foot MLBs might have replaced them. At 32 tons they are considerably bigger than the 20 ton 47 footers, and they have considerably more range. It also appears they have more comfortable accommodations for extended missions.

The reader alluded to, recommended a C. Raymond Hunt designed, 61 foot 43 ton pilot/rescue boat, built by Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding. Somerset, Mass, for service in Bermuda.

Earlier we discussed the Netherlands’ new 32.5 ton design that might also be an appropriate replacement. There is also more here.

At any rate it would be a small class, probably less than ten, but we would not necessarily have to start from scratch in seeking a replacement for these now very old, but apparently uniquely useful rescue vessels.

Santa Claus is Canadian?

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gCaptain is reporting that Canada is laying claim to the North Pole as part of their Continental shelf. But so are Denmark and Russia.

The US can’t make claims to an extended continental shelf beyond their EEZ because they have not yet ratified the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Good news is looks like all parties are willing to take it to court rather than fight over it.

Not Your Father’s CG Aircraft

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1522199_-_main (2)
Company officials unveiled the design for the Scorpion, in works since January 2012, during the annual Air Force Association Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md. (Textron AirLand)

It looks like a small attack aircraft, but it is being marketed as a an ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) asset–kind of a manned drone.

“Weaver also indicated that the suitability for maritime surveillance could lead to sales with the Coast Guard.” (emphasis applied)

Probably ravings of a delusional company executive, but it is a bold move on the part of Textron, maker of Cessna aircraft.

Here is the Company’s web page. Five of the six missions they suggest are Dept. of Homeland Security Missions–Border Security, Maritime Security, Counter-Narcotics, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response, Aerospace Control Alert (the CG sort of does this around DC). Somehow I think it is doubtful the DHS will start getting their own “fighters.” That will almost certainly be how they would be seen–they have six underwing hardpoints.

It is a straight winged twin engine jet and probably has much in common with the Cessna Citation family of business jets. Reportedly it will fly 400+ knots, go out 150 miles, loiter for 5 hours, and return while carrying 3,000 pounds of ISR equipment, at a cost of “only” $3000/hour (how does that compare with the HC-144?) Didn’t we just give up our jets? And I think they had a toilet for those longer missions.

Textron's Scorpion, seen during a Dec. 5 taxi test, will take its first flight next week. The plane is designed for a multi-mission role, with an emphasis on ISR capabilities.

Textron’s Scorpion, seen during a Dec. 5 taxi test, will take its first flight next week. The plane is designed for a multi-mission role, with an emphasis on ISR capabilities. (Textron)