Ingalls Gets Coast Guard NSC Advance Procurement Contract

Ingalls Shipbuilding division says it has received an $76.5 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase long-lead materials for the eighth National Security Cutter, Midgett (WMSL 757). Construction and delivery of Midgett would take place at the company's Pascagoula facility.

The advance procurement funds will be used to purchase major items for Midgett, including steel, the main propulsion systems, generators, electrical switchboards and major castings.

"The long-lead material contracts give our shipbuilders the ability to immediately start construction of the ship if and when that contract is awarded," said Jim French, Ingalls' National Security Cutter program manager. "The advance procurement helps us get the best cost possible for equipment and materials and keeps the industrial base production line flowing. Our learning curve continues to improve with each ship we build, and the advance procurement helps continue that curve."

HII explains that National Security Cutters, the flagships of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet, are designed to replace the 378‐foot Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. Ingalls has delivered the first three National Security Cutters.

The fourth, Hamilton (WMSL 753), will have builder's sea trials later this summer. The fifth, James (WMSL 754), recently launched and will be christened in August, and the keel for the sixth NSC, Munro (WMSL 755), will be laid later this year.

NSCs are 418 feet long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.

The Legend-class NSC is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions.

The Legend-class of cutters plays an important role in enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.