Whereas the 270s and 210s had crews of 100 and 75 respectively, the much larger 360-foot, 3,700-ton Heritage-class OPC will accommodate a crew of up to 126. They are capable of eight-week patrols.
The OPC will be smaller than the national security cutter (NSC), and larger than the fast response cutter (FSC). Like the NSC, the OPCs and WMECs operate under the Atlantic and Pacific area commands. The smaller FRC and 110-foot patrol boats fall under the districts.
The Coast Guard kept the 210s and 270s in service for such a long time that many modifications not originally envisioned were made to the cutters. With the OPC, provisions are being made so that adapting new systems and technology will be easier to accomplish.
Another artist’s rendering of the OPC. In September, the Coast Guard announced it would exercise its contract to construct the lead ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Argus (WMSM 915). The OPC will provide a capability link between the NSC and the FRC. Courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding
The OPC will also be capable of deploying independently or as part of a task group. It will be interoperable with the U.S. Navy and able to seamlessly integrate into national defense missions, with the ability to support mobile command and control platform operations. This capability will be critically important for major incident operations, such as hurricane/natural disaster and environmental response. As activity increases in the Arctic, the OPC will find itself deploying to Alaska waters and helping to regulate and protect emerging commercial and energy activities in the region.
The OPC will have flight deck and aviation facilities to accommodate rotary-wing or unmanned aircraft. Because of its size, the OPC will have better seakeeping, and enable it to better counter transnational criminal organization activities in maritime transit zones and curb illegal migration on the high seas.
“The OPC will have the ability to exchange voice, data, and video with other Coast Guard assets, as well as U.S. Navy aircraft and ships and U.S. government partners, as well as commercial and private aircraft and vessels. The OPC will also have facilities to communicate and share data with NATO and international partners,” Olexy said.
Northrop Grumman is the C4ISR and control systems integrator for the OPC, which includes the integrated bridge, navigation, command and control, computing network, data distribution, machinery control, and propulsion control system design and production. The main battery is the Bae Systems MK 110 57 mm gun, also found on the NSC and the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ships, capable of firing up to 220 rounds per minute.
Olexy said the OPC will be optimized for law enforcement missions. “The OPC will feature law enforcement [LE] locker room space to expedite boarding team readiness … Additionally, a generator-powered propulsion motor will decrease wear and tear on the ship’s main engines and also conserve fuel in between high-tempo operations.”
The NSC, FRC, and OPC represent a new normal for the Coast Guard fleet, with greater fuel capacity, efficiency, habitability, and food capacity that directly affect mission endurance and effectiveness.