Coast Guard Cutter Acquisition Updates
Guest Post by RADM Gary Blore (CG-9), Assistant Commandant for Acquisition
The following question came in on our blog regarding the outcome of the GAO protest on the FRC contract award: "Admiral A substantial increase in installed power, increased displacement and higher speed than the parent all look risky. Are technical warrant holders and ABS as confident in a successful outcome?"
This is a great question, and goes to the very core of being very selective when using a parent craft strategy and ensuring the modifications are technically mature, and in most cases, already demonstrated. The modifications had strict limits in how they could affect displacement and center of gravity, in the case of the Sentinel it was no greater than plus or minus 10 percent displacement and plus or minus 1 percent for center of gravity. A larger, already in production MTU engine was proposed -- adding the shaft horsepower for the increased speed -- after careful calculations on engine room design, hull efficiency, etc. Lastly, the shafts and propellers were actually simplified -- going to a direct drive shaft coupled with a fixed pitch propeller, which is optimized for speed. The Coast Guard Technical Authorities carefully reviewed all the modifications.
Additionally, the government required the involvement of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the original designers throughout industry preparations of proposals and modifications to the parent craft to ensure technical risk was minimized. In the case of the Bollinger/Damen selection (Damen, Netherlands, is the designer of the Sentinel), there are examples throughout the world of successful modification of their 40 meter series of patrol boats built outside the Netherlands by non-Damen shipyards.
Update on the Bertholf:
The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf is currently conducting the underway portion of Combat Systems Ships Qualification Trials (CSSQT). For the next two weeks the cutter will train and conduct live fire and other operational exercises. Prior to the underway portion of the trials the crew successfully completed testing and training events in port.
At the completion of CSSQT, the crew will have demonstrated capability and proficiency in the tactical use of the installed weapon systems.
In addition, the Bertholf will conduct a "tow and be towed" evolution with another cutter. This will allow the Bertholf to test its capabilities for towing a disabled vessel in search and rescue, or an intercepted vessel in law enforcement operations.
Last week I participated in the DoD Blogger's Roundtable to discuss continuing progress in our acquisition efforts. You can read or listen to it. Here are a couple of opinions from others in the discussion: CGBlog and Information Dissemination
The following question came in on our blog regarding the outcome of the GAO protest on the FRC contract award: "Admiral A substantial increase in installed power, increased displacement and higher speed than the parent all look risky. Are technical warrant holders and ABS as confident in a successful outcome?"
This is a great question, and goes to the very core of being very selective when using a parent craft strategy and ensuring the modifications are technically mature, and in most cases, already demonstrated. The modifications had strict limits in how they could affect displacement and center of gravity, in the case of the Sentinel it was no greater than plus or minus 10 percent displacement and plus or minus 1 percent for center of gravity. A larger, already in production MTU engine was proposed -- adding the shaft horsepower for the increased speed -- after careful calculations on engine room design, hull efficiency, etc. Lastly, the shafts and propellers were actually simplified -- going to a direct drive shaft coupled with a fixed pitch propeller, which is optimized for speed. The Coast Guard Technical Authorities carefully reviewed all the modifications.
Additionally, the government required the involvement of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the original designers throughout industry preparations of proposals and modifications to the parent craft to ensure technical risk was minimized. In the case of the Bollinger/Damen selection (Damen, Netherlands, is the designer of the Sentinel), there are examples throughout the world of successful modification of their 40 meter series of patrol boats built outside the Netherlands by non-Damen shipyards.
Update on the Bertholf:
The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf is currently conducting the underway portion of Combat Systems Ships Qualification Trials (CSSQT). For the next two weeks the cutter will train and conduct live fire and other operational exercises. Prior to the underway portion of the trials the crew successfully completed testing and training events in port.
At the completion of CSSQT, the crew will have demonstrated capability and proficiency in the tactical use of the installed weapon systems.
In addition, the Bertholf will conduct a "tow and be towed" evolution with another cutter. This will allow the Bertholf to test its capabilities for towing a disabled vessel in search and rescue, or an intercepted vessel in law enforcement operations.
Last week I participated in the DoD Blogger's Roundtable to discuss continuing progress in our acquisition efforts. You can read or listen to it. Here are a couple of opinions from others in the discussion: CGBlog and Information Dissemination
Posted at
3:29 PM
2 Comments:
Rear Admiral Blore,
Thanks for participating in the Bloggers Roundtable and for providing a great response to my questions! I hope you will be a regular guest. Thanks again.
Jim,
It's certainly my intent to continue both the media and bloggers roundtables. More and more people are using multiple sources for information and continuing these makes good sense. Thanks for your comment.
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