View source for Polar Security Cutter program

{{Short description|United States Coast Guard program}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin <!-- full code -->
| infobox caption = <!-- keywords: yes, nodab; or caption text -->
| display title = <!-- keywords: none, ital; or article title with markup -->
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Polar security cutter rendering.png
| Ship image size = 
| Ship caption = Rendering of the Polar Security Cutter design to be built by VT Halter Marine
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = 
| Builders = [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
| Operators = [[United States Coast Guard]]
| Class before = [[Polar-class icebreaker]]
| Class after = 
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = * $1.038 billion (first vessel)
* $794 million (second vessel)
* $841 million (third vessel)<ref name="RL34391_sept2022" />
* $5.1 billion ([[Congressional Budget Office|CBO]] 2024 estimate for three vessels)<ref name="cbo_april2024" /> 
| Built range = 
| In service range = * 2024– (planned)
* 2029 (current estimate)<ref name="cbo_april2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60244|title=Testimony on the Cost of the Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter|website=Congressional Budget Office|date=30 April 2024|accessdate=3 May 2024}}</ref>
| In commission range = 
| Total ships planned = 3
| Total ships on order = 2<ref name="st_second">{{cite web|url=https://www.stengg.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/halter-marine-is-awarded-the-second-polar-security-cutter-for-the-united-states-coast-guard/|title= Halter Marine is awarded the second Polar Security Cutter for the United States Coast Guard|website=ST Engineering|date=29 December 2021|accessdate=31 December 2021}}</ref>
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships completed = 
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = 
| Ship type = 
| Ship tonnage = 
| Ship displacement = {{convert|22900|LT|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|460|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|88|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = 
| Ship draft = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship ice class = [[Polar Class 2]]
| Ship power = [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] main diesel generators
| Ship propulsion = [[Diesel-electric]]; two [[ABB]] [[Azipod]] propulsion units and one shaft line
| Ship speed = 
| Ship range = 
| Ship endurance = 90 days
| Ship boats = 
| Ship capacity = Berthing for 186 persons
| Ship complement = 
| Ship armament = *2 × [[Mk44 Bushmaster II|Mk 44]] 30mm autocannon
*6 × crew-served .50 caliber (12.7 mm) [[Browning M2 machine guns]]
| Ship aircraft = 
| Ship aircraft facilities = Helipad and hangar
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''Polar Security Cutter Program''' is a program to recapitalize the [[United States Coast Guard|United States Coast Guard']]s aging fleet of [[icebreaker]]s, currently consisting of the heavy icebreaker [[USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)|USCGC ''Polar Star'']] and the medium icebreaker [[USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)|USCGC ''Healy'']], with three new multi-mission vessels referred to as Polar Security Cutters (PSC). These heavy polar icebreakers will allow the USCG to perform its [[Missions of the United States Coast Guard|statutory missions]] in the Arctic as well as support the [[United States Antarctic Program]] with [[Operation Deep Freeze]].<ref name="uscg_psc">{{cite web|title=Polar Security Cutter|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Programs/Surface-Programs/Polar-Icebreaker/|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="RL34391_old">{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|accessdate=2 January 2021}}</ref>

The PSC program is managed by the USCG and [[United States Navy]] through an integrated program office. On 23 April 2019, [[Halter Marine|Halter Marine Inc]] was awarded the contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC.<ref name="uscg_psc" /> The contract option for the second PSC was exercised on 30 December 2021.<ref name="st_second" /> {{asof|2023|07}}, the first vessel is expected to enter service in mid-to-late-2020s and will be named USCGC ''Polar Sentinel''.<ref name="RL34391_jul2023" /><ref name="delay">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43376/delivery-of-the-u-s-coast-guards-new-heavy-icebreaker-has-been-delayed-yet-again|title=Delivery Of The U.S. Coast Guard's New Heavy Icebreaker Has Been Delayed Yet Again|publisher=The Drive|date=3 December 2021|accessdate=31 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-24|title=USCG's First Polar Security Cutter to be Named Polar Sentinel|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/uscgs-first-polar-security-cutter-named-494580|access-date=2022-02-24|website=MarineLink|language=en}}</ref>

In the future, the PSCs will be followed by the acquisition of three medium icebreakers referred to as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC).<ref name="RL34391_old" />

==Project timeline==

In 2010, the ''High Latitude Mission Analysis Report'' identified a need for at least six new polar icebreakers, three of which must be what the USCG refers to as "heavy icebreakers".<ref name="RL34391_old" /><ref group="note">In U.S. parlance, "heavy icebreakers" are icebreakers capable of breaking ice up to {{convert|6|ft|m|1}} thick at a speed of {{convert|3|kn}}.</ref> In the same year, the USCG's only operational heavy icebreaker at the time, [[USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11)|USCGC ''Polar Sea'']], was sidelined following engine failure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://coastguardnews.com/engine-troubles-sideline-coast-guard-cutter-polar-sea/2010/06/25/|title=Engine troubles sideline Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea|date=25 June 2010|publisher=Coast Guard News|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

In 2012, the USCG launched a heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program and, in 2016, established an integrated program office with the US Navy to utilize the Navy's shipbuilding expertise for acquiring the new icebreakers.<ref name="gao">{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-385r|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Status of Coast Guard's Heavy Polar Icebreaker Acquisition|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=13 April 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

In February 2017, the USCG awarded five fixed-price contracts for heavy polar icebreaker design studies to [[Bollinger Shipyards]], [[Fincantieri|Italy's Fincantieri Marine Group]], [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]], [[Huntington Ingalls Industries]], and [[Halter Marine, Inc.|Singapore's Halter Marine Inc]] .

In addition to developing heavy polar icebreaker designs with associated cost and schedule figures, the goal of these industry studies was to identify design and system approaches to reduce acquisition costs and accelerate production timelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1613746/acquisition-update-us-coast-guard-awards-multiple-contracts-for-heavy-polar-ice/|title=Acquisition update: U.S. Coast Guard awards multiple contracts for heavy polar icebreaker industry studies|date=22 February 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

In April 2017, a draft system specification as part of a [[request for information]] (RFI) in which the USCG sought questions, comments and feedback related to technology risks, sustainability, producibility, and affordability of heavy polar icebreakers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1614305/acquisition-update-coast-guard-releases-draft-polar-icebreaker-specifications/|title=Acquisition update: Coast Guard releases draft polar icebreaker specifications|date=4 April 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard}}</ref> A draft [[request for proposal]] (RFP) was released in October 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1770631/us-navy-releases-draft-request-for-proposal-for-coast-guard-icebreaker-design-c/|title=U.S. Navy releases draft request for proposal for Coast Guard icebreaker design, construction|date=19 October 2017|publisher=United States Coast Guard|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> followed by the official request for proposal for the advance procurement and detail design for a heavy polar icebreaker with options for detail design and construction for up to three vessels in March 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1612023/rfp-released-for-coast-guards-heavy-polar-icebreaker/|title=RFP released for Coast Guard's heavy polar icebreaker|publisher=United States Coast Guard|date=5 March 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

In September 2018, the Coast Guard announced that the icebreakers would be called "Polar Security Cutters", that they would have the designation WMSP, and that the Coast Guard wanted the icebreakers to be capable of carrying deck-mounted weapons if needed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coast Guard Renames New Icebreaker Program 'Polar Security Cutter' |url=https://news.usni.org/2018/09/27/36846 |website=USNI News |date=27 September 2018 |accessdate=27 September 2018}}</ref> The vessels will be homeported in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]].<ref name="PSChomeport">{{cite web |title=U.S. Coast Guard Announces Homeport of Polar Security Cutter |url=https://seapowermagazine.org/u-s-coast-guard-announces-homeport-of-polar-security-cutter/ |website=SeaPower |date=17 June 2019 |accessdate=17 June 2019}}</ref>

On 23 April 2019, the $745.9 million contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC was won by [[Halter Marine]]. The contract also included options for the construction of two additional PSCs that, if exercised, would bring the total acquisition cost to $1.9 billion excluding government-furnished equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Newsroom/Latest-Acquisition-News/Article/1822054/acquisition-update-coast-guard-and-navy-integrated-program-office-awards-polar/|title=Acquisition update: Coast Guard and Navy Integrated Program Office awards polar security cutter detail design and construction contract|date=23 April 2019|accessdate=2 January 2022|publisher=United States Coast Guard}}</ref> [[Halter Marine]], one of the shipyards that had previously participated in the heavy polar icebreaker industry studies, reportedly beat out competing bids from at least [[Fincantieri Marinette Marine|Fincantieri Marine Group]] and [[Bollinger Shipyards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-coast-guard-awards-contract-new-polar-class-icebreaker|title= U.S. Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Polar Class Icebreaker|publisher=High North News|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> In its press release on 7 May 2019, Halter Marine stated that it had teamed with Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) and based its PSC design on the proposed German polar research vessel ''Polarstern II''. Other companies involved included [[ABB]] and Trident Maritime Systems for propulsion system, [[Raytheon]] for command and control systems integration, [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] for main engines, Jamestown Metal Marine for joiner package, and Bronswerk for the [[HVAC]] system.<ref name=HalterMay05>{{cite web |title=VT Halter Marine Awarded the USCG Polar Security Cutter |url=http://www.vthm.com/public/files/20190507.pdf |website=VT Halter Marine |date=7 May 2019|accessdate=12 May 2019}}</ref>

On 30 December 2021, the USCG exercised the $552.6 million option for the construction of the second PSC.<ref name="st_second" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/vt-halter-wins-contract-for-second-uscg-polar-security-cutter|title= VT Halter Wins Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter|publisher=The Maritime Executive|date=30 December 2021|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref>

Initially, [[Halter Marine]] anticipated that the lead ship would be delivered in summer 2024, with the second PSC in 2025, and the third vessel in late 2027. However, {{asof|2023|7|lc=y}} the lead ship has been delayed and the delivery may not occur until 2028.<ref name="RL34391_jul2023">{{citation|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391|title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Congressional Research Service|date=10 July 2023 |accessdate=13 July 2023}}</ref> The [[Government Accountability Office]] has identified four primary factors contributing to delay in PSC design maturity: general lack of experience for designing and building icebreakers in the United States, the complexity of the PSC's design, significant changes from the original design, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="gaojuly2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105949|title=Coast Guard Acquisitions: Polar Security Cutter Needs to Stabilize Design Before Starting Construction and Improve Schedule Oversight|publisher=United States Government Accountability Office|date=27 July 2023|accessdate=28 July 2023}}</ref>

In November 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced that it would buy VT Halter Marine and oversee the construction of the Polar Security Cutters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/06/bollinger-to-buy-halter-marine-shipyard-oversee-coast-guard-polar-security-cutter-program|title=UPDATED: Bollinger to Buy Halter Marine Shipyard, Oversee Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program|publisher=USNI News|date=6 November 2022|accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref> On November 22, 2022, [[Bollinger Shipyards]] announced it had completed the acquisition of VT Halter Marine and ST Engineer Halter Marine Offshore. Construction of the Polar Security Cutters will still be completed in Pascagoula, MS at what will be called Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollingershipyards.com/news/bollinger-shipyards-completes-acquisition-of-vt-halter-marine-and-st-engineering-halter-marine-offshore/|title=BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF VT HALTER MARINE AND ST ENGINEERING HALTER MARINE OFFSHORE|publisher=Bollinger Shipyards|date=22 November 2022|accessdate=14 March 2023}}</ref>

In August 2023, Bollinger Shipyards began steel cutting for eight "prototype modules" for the first Polar Security Cutter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/09/bollinger-cuts-first-steel-on-polar-security-cutter-polar-sentinel|title=Bollinger Cuts First Steel on Polar Security Cutter|date=9 August 2023|accessdate=10 August 2023|publisher=USNI News}}</ref>

On 7 May 2024, the [[Congressional Budget Office]] testified before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the total cost of three vessels would be $5.1 billion, about 60% more than the Coast Guard's estimate in March 2024, and the delivery of the first vessel would be in 2029.<ref name="cbo_april2024" /> When subcommittee chair [[Carlos A. Giménez]] asked why the Polar Security Cutter design was only 67% complete after five years of work, a [[Government Accountability Office]] witness explained that nothing like the Polar Security Cutter has been built in the United States in 50 years; American shipbuilders have no recent experience building large icebreakers. Coast Guard Vice Admiral [[Paul F. Thomas|Paul Thomas]] reminded the subcommittee that Halter Marine chose to base the PSC design upon the proposed ''Polarstern II'' design, rather than upon an existing Finnish icebreaker suggested by the Coast Guard. Because the ''Polarstern II'' has never been built, its design is necessarily incomplete.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruskin |first=Liz |date=7 May 2024 |title=The U.S. was supposed to get keys to a new heavy icebreaker this year. Instead, construction is years late as costs soar. |url=https://alaskapublic.org/2024/05/07/the-u-s-was-supposed-to-get-keys-to-a-new-heavy-icebreaker-this-year-instead-construction-is-years-late-as-costs-soar/ |work=[[Alaska Public Media]] |location=Washington, DC |access-date=8 May 2024}}</ref>

==Design==

The Polar Security Cutters will be the largest icebreakers ever commissioned by the United States Coast Guard and will temporarily be the largest coast guard vessel in the world. With an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|460|ft|m}}, beam of {{convert|88|ft|m}}, and a full load displacement of {{convert|22900|LT}},<ref name="vthalter-psc">{{cite web|url=http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|title=Polar Security Cutter|publisher=VT Halter|accessdate=2 June 2019|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602060659/http://vthm.com/polar-security-cutter/|url-status=dead}}</ref> they will be bigger, wider and heavier than the current record-holder, the medium icebreaker USCGC ''Healy''. The general design is reportedly based on the proposed German polar research vessel ''Polarstern II'' which has been modified and adapted to USCG requirements such as long open water transit from its home port to Antarctica.<ref name="halterdetails">{{cite web|title=VT Halter Marine Details Coast Guard Icebreaker Bid |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/05/08/vt-halter-marine-details-coast-guard-icebreaker-bid |website=USNI News |date=8 May 2019 |accessdate=8 May 2019}}</ref> The PSCs will have accommodation for up to 186 crew, scientists and other personnel, and endurance time of 90 days.<ref name="st_second" />

Like most icebreakers built worldwide, the PSCs will have a [[diesel-electric]] power plant rated at over {{convert|45200|hp|kW|abbr=on}}. The vessels' main diesel generators will be supplied by Caterpillar and the propulsion system consisting of  two [[Azipod]] propulsion units and a third fixed shaft line by [[ABB]] and Trident Maritime Systems.<ref name="RL34391_old" /><ref name=HalterMay05/><ref name="halterdetails" /> This will allow the PSCs to break ice with a thickness between {{convert|6|and|8|ft|m|1}}.<ref name="st_second" /> Designed according to the [[International Association of Classification Societies]] (IACS) ''Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships'', the PSCs will be strengthened to [[Polar Class 2]] which is intended for vessels operating year-round in moderate multi-year ice conditions.<ref name="ice class">{{cite web|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/uscg-psc-equals-meaningful-polar-presence-472887|publisher=MarineLink|title=USCG PSC Equals meaningful Polar Presence|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iacs.org.uk/download/1803|title=Requirements concerning POLAR CLASS|publisher=International Association of Classification Societies|date=April 2016|accessdate=2 January 2021}}</ref>

The PSCs will feature a combat system derived from the [[Aegis Combat System]].<ref name="halterdetails" /> The vessels have been said to include "space, weight, and electrical power set aside to carry offensive weapons".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2018/01/new-icebreaker-will-have-space-power-for-weapons-coast-guard/|title=New Icebreaker Will Have Space, Power For Weapons: Coast Guard|publisher=Breaking Defence|date=10 January 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ice-Strengthened Cutters For The U.S. Coast Guard ? |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/ice-strengthened-cutters-for-the-u-s-coast-guard/?fbclid=IwAR0T2VPthGx4Mwde-AD2v3IzdRAYynkVcDbg9XHmDum0XHqYzXTMLXDjz4g |website=Naval News| date=6 February 2021 |access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>

==Ships in class==
{| class="wikitable"
! align = center|Ship
! align = center|Hull Number
! align = center|Builder
! align = center|Laid down
! align = center|Launched
! align = center|Commissioned
! align = center|Homeport
! align = center|Status
|-
| {{USCGC|Polar Sentinel|WMSP-21|2}}
| WMSP-21
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
|2027 (planned)
|2028 (planned)<ref name="2023delay">{{cite web|title=GAO: Polar Security Cutter Design Won't Complete Until 2024, Delivery of First Hull Estimated in 2028 |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/03/gao-polar-security-cutter-design-wont-complete-until-2024-delivery-of-first-hull-estimated-in-2028 |website=USNI News |date=3 Aug 2023 |accessdate=4 Aug 2023}}</ref>
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract<ref name="RL34391_sept2022">{{cite news |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL34391/ |title=Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress |date=21 September 2022 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://njscuba.net/shipbuildinghistory/statistics/currentnavy.html/ |title=U.S. Government Shipbuilding (2020) |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
| TBD 
| WMSP-22
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
| 
|
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Under Contract<ref name="RL34391_sept2022" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://njscuba.net/shipbuildinghistory/statistics/currentnavy.html/ |title=U.S. Government Shipbuilding (2020) |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
| TBD 
| WMSP-23 
| [[Bollinger Shipyards]]
|
| 
|
| [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]
| Authorized in National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senate-passes-2023-defense-bill-with-king-backed-provisions-to-invest-in-maine-shipbuilding-strengthen-national-security-and-support-jobs/ 
|title=ICYMI: Senate Passes 2023 Defense Bill with King-Backed Provisions to Invest in Maine Shipbuilding, Strengthen National Security and Support Jobs |date=16 December 2022 |publisher=Senator Angus King (I-ME) |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{US Coast Guard navbox}}

[[Category:United States Coast Guard]]
[[Category:Icebreakers of the United States Coast Guard]]