Coast Guard
Launches Multi-Billion Dollar Plan For New Fleet Of Ships, Aircraft, Command
Systems For Homeland Security, Other Missions
U. S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Michael P.
Jackson, joined by U. S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins, today
announced the award of a landmark contract valued at $11.04 billion for a fleet
of new ships and aircraft, plus improved command and control systems, to meet
the service's homeland security and other mission needs.
In addition, the contract includes $5.91 billion for operating,
maintenance, and sustainment costs for a value of $16.95 billion. The contract
was awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture
established by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
"The Deepwater Program will ensure that the Coast
Guard continues to guarantee the nation's maritime security," said Deputy
Secretary Jackson. "As
America's first line of defense for maritime homeland security, it is critical
that the Coast Guard be able to identify and intercept targets of interest as
far from U. S. shores as possible."
Known as the
'Deepwater Program,' the ICGS award is the largest ever for the U. S. Coast
Guard. It calls for the delivery of
the first ships and planes - and upgrades to some existing vessels - within
the next five years. This is the
first time the Coast Guard has bundled procurement of several types of ships,
aircraft and other equipment into an integrated procurement program.
The contract may extend
up to 30 years. Deepwater will
involve the acquisition of up to 91 ships, 35 fixed-wing aircraft, 34
helicopters, 76 unmanned surveillance aircraft, and upgrade of 49 existing
cutters and 93 helicopters, in addition to systems for communications,
surveillance and command and control.
"The tragic events of September 11th changed the world
as we know it. Homeland security,
now more than ever, is a mission where we must succeed," said Admiral Collins.
"As the leader in Maritime Homeland Defense, the Coast Guard must have
the most capable ships, aircraft, sensors and communications technology
available to protect our nation and carry out our many missions.
The Deepwater Program will give us the necessary tools to create an
effective, layered defense of our nation's maritime interests."
The vessels and
aircraft included in the ICGS procurement project make up the Coast Guard's
primary multi-mission coastal and offshore fleet -- larger Coast Guard
cutters and aircraft which serve as the backbone of many missions including drug
and illegal migrant interdiction, fisheries enforcement, pollution patrols, and
homeland security patrols, boardings and inspections. Command, control and communications systems will be designed
not only to integrate operations of the new ships and planes, but also improve
coordination of all Coast Guard operations, as well as with other Federal
agencies and the Department of Defense.
Of 39 similar navy and coast guard fleets surveyed around
the world, the U.S. Coast Guard's vessel fleet is the 37th oldest.
The Coast Guard's twelve 1960's era Hamilton class cutters are among the
service's aging fleet slated for replacement under the Deepwater contract.
The 378-foot Hamilton class are the largest multi-mission, helicopter
capable ships operated by the Coast Guard.
Other existing ships that would be replaced include
fourteen 1960's vintage 210-foot Reliance class, and a variety of other ships,
some dating back from World War II. Aircraft
readiness has also been a recurring problem in recent years with expenditures
for repairs on the rise, and some of the Coast Guard's existing helicopters
cannot operate from the flight decks of some older cutters.
The new ships and planes are coming at an opportune time
for the Coast Guard. In addition to
increased homeland security responsibilities which involve "pushing our
borders back" to protect our ports, waterways, and coastlines, the Coast Guard
still has many missions vital to the nation's physical, economic and
environmental security. Primary
duties include: search and rescue, maritime emergency response, military
operations, anti-drug patrols, illegal migrant interdiction, and fisheries
enforcement.
The Coast Guard's
Deepwater Program that led to the ICGS contract has been in development for five
years. The ICGS contract does not
include smaller rescue and patrol boats, buoy tenders and workboats,
icebreakers, or shore side facilities.
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