Austal USA has begun construction of the US Coast Guard’s third Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter at its shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama.
The vessel, future USCGC Ingham (WMSM-917), is part of a $3.3-billion program covering the construction of up to 11 Heritage-class cutters. These ships are intended to replace the Coast Guard’s aging Famous- and Reliance-class patrol vessels.
Austal is employing modular construction techniques to streamline the production process, allowing individual modules to be outfitted before final assembly. The company is also utilizing a virtual 3D digital twin throughout the design and construction phases to improve development efficiency and accuracy.
Following delivery, the Ingham will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska. From there, the cutter will conduct independent and task-group operations, supporting missions such as command and control, border security, and humanitarian assistance across open-ocean and coastal environments.
Heritage-Class Capabilities
The Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter measures 360 feet in length and has a beam of 54 feet. It can accommodate three rigid-hull inflatable boats, a medium helicopter, an unmanned aerial system, and a crew of more than 120 personnel.
Powered by two 9,760-horsepower Fairbanks Morse diesel engines and four additional diesel generators, the vessel can reach a top speed of 23 knots. It offers an operational range of 10,200 nautical miles and an endurance of up to 60 days.
Its armament includes a 57mm naval automatic gun, supplemented by 25mm and 12.7mm machine guns, along with a 7.62mm coaxial weapon system.
