Austal USA has reached another milestone in the US Coast Guard’s Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter program by beginning construction of the third vessel at its Mobile, Alabama, shipyard. The future USCGC Ingham (WMSM-917) is being built as part of a broader $3.3 billion initiative that could eventually deliver as many as 11 cutters.The Heritage-class ships are designed to succeed the Coast Guard’s older Famous- and Reliance-class cutters. They will provide the service with a modern platform capable of performing a wide range of maritime security and response missions over extended distances.For the construction program, Austal is applying a modular shipbuilding process. This approach allows individual sections of the cutter to be completed and outfitted with systems before final integration, helping reduce overall construction time. Engineers are also using a virtual 3D representation of the ship, or digital twin, during design and construction to support development and improve manufacturing processes.After entering service, Ingham is planned to operate from Kodiak, Alaska. The cutter will be capable of deploying independently or alongside other vessels for missions involving command and control, maritime border protection, security operations, and humanitarian assistance. Its design allows it to operate in both offshore and near-shore environments.Heritage-Class PerformanceThe new cutter is 360 feet long with a 54-foot beam. Its aviation and boat-handling facilities allow it to carry three rigid-hull inflatable boats, a medium helicopter, and an unmanned aerial system. More than 120 crew and mission personnel can be accommodated aboard the vessel.The propulsion system uses two Fairbanks Morse diesel engines generating 9,760 horsepower, along with four diesel generators. Maximum speed is approximately 23 knots, while the cutter can travel around 10,200 nautical miles before requiring replenishment.With an endurance of up to 60 days, the Heritage-class is intended for sustained operations far from its homeport. Armament includes a 57mm automatic naval gun supported by 25mm and 12.7mm machine guns and a 7.62mm coaxial gun.
