|
The current capability in the fleet is rapidly becoming obsolete,
BUT our
innovative
and hard-working
operators
are still
accomplishing
amazing
results
on a daily
basis. Deepwater
will finally
give us
the “right”
tools and
ensure that
they work
in concert
to maximize
our operational
effectiveness.
Even
with aging
equipment,
the Coast
Guard has
embarked
on some
highly successful
changes
to the way
we conduct
business,
especially
in the Drug
Law Enforcement
arena. With
the introduction
of cutter
Over-The-Horizon
(OTH) boats
and the
Airborne
Use of Force
(AUF) package
of armed
helicopters,
we have
seen a renewed
advantage
over the
drug smuggler.
While these
initiatives
are still
emerging,
they have
limitations
attached
with them.
The AUF
package
is currently
deployable
only to
those cutters
that have
undergone
modifications
to carry
the new,
larger cutter
boat, and
whose crews
have successfully
trained
in the new
procedures
for implementing
armed aircraft.
These
types of
limitations
(or uneven
capabilities
in the same
classes
of assets)
will be
avoided
by our “System
of Systems”
approach.
Deepwater
will insure
interoperability
across the
assets,
so that
our force
package
is as capable
as can be.
|
|
 |
| The
Deepwater
Project
encompasses
the
modernization/renovation
or
replacement
of
all
of
these
current
Coast
Guard
Deepwater
assets: |
| (12) |
378' |
High
Endurance
Cutters |
|
(93) |
HH-65 |
Helicopters |
| (13) |
270' |
Medium
Endurance
Cutters |
|
(42) |
HH-60 |
Helicopters |
| (14) |
210' |
Medium
Endurance
Cutters |
|
(30) |
C130 |
Airplanes |
| (3) |
341'-360' |
Mature
Medium
Endurance
Cutters |
|
(41) |
HU25 |
Airplanes |
| (49) |
110' |
Patrol
Boats
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 91 |
|
Total
Cutters
|
|
206 |
|
Total
Aircraft |
|
In addition to these cutters
and aircraft, the Project
also includes the Coast
Guard’s Deepwater
command, control, communications,
sensor, and logistics infrastructure.
The dates shown above indicate
the approximate end of
planned service life for
each major asset type.
Dates in red indicate an
end of service life within
the next ten years -- a
key time period because
traditional major acquisitions
to renovate or replace
a class of ships or aircraft
typically take at least
ten years to implement.
Today's Deepwater
Assets:
