U.S. Coast Guard Advances Construction of First Polar Security Cutter in Over 50 Years

The U.S. Coast Guard has officially received approval to begin building the first Polar Security Cutter (PSC), marking a significant milestone in strengthening America’s polar icebreaking capabilities. This project, led by Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the first heavy polar icebreaker to be constructed in the United States in more than five decades.

The approval is part of a carefully phased process, which has been in progress since mid-2023, aimed at expediting the delivery timeline of these critical assets. The construction incorporates eight prototype fabrication assessment units (PFAUs), designed to hone workforce skills and refine shipbuilding techniques before full-rate production commences. This “crawl-walk-run” methodology has equipped both the shipbuilder and the government with improved, cost-effective, and precise construction processes to ensure reliable outcomes.

Transforming the U.S. Icebreaking Fleet

The current operational polar icebreaking fleet of the Coast Guard includes the 399-foot heavy icebreaker Polar Star, commissioned in 1976, and the 420-foot medium icebreaker Healy, commissioned in 1999. Both vessels are nearing the end of their operational lifespans, highlighting the urgent need for fleet modernization. Recently, the Coast Guard acquired a commercially available polar icebreaker to temporarily boost its capabilities in the Arctic, but the new PSC program aims for a long-term solution.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to introduce three heavy PSCs into its fleet, tailored for demanding Antarctic missions. These modern vessels will replace the aging Polar Star and ensure the U.S. maintains a strategic presence in polar regions, which are increasingly contested by global powers.

Key Features of the Polar Security Cutter

The Polar Security Cutter is a state-of-the-art vessel, designed to handle the most extreme polar conditions. It will measure 460 feet (140 meters) in length, with a beam of 88 feet (28 meters) and a full-load displacement of 23,200 tons. The cutter will be powered by diesel-electric engines and house up to 186 personnel, including crew and mission specialists.

A large flight deck will allow the PSC to accommodate helicopters such as the H-53 King Stallion or Sikorsky H-60, enabling versatile operations in remote regions. The hull design is based on the proven Polar 2 class icebreaker, offering superior performance in navigating thick ice sheets.

Multi-Year Acquisition Program

The Polar Security Cutter program is a multi-year initiative, with the first vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in 2019. The fixed-price incentive-firm contract, valued at $745.9 million, covers the detailed design and construction of the initial cutter. This acquisition is part of a broader effort to recapitalize the Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet and address increasing geopolitical challenges in polar regions.

The PSC project signifies a renewed commitment to securing U.S. interests in the Arctic and Antarctic. As these regions become hubs of strategic competition, the modernized fleet will bolster the U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to conduct search-and-rescue missions, environmental protection, and national defense operations in some of the world’s harshest environments.

A Strategic Leap Forward

With the construction of the first Polar Security Cutter underway, the U.S. is poised to regain its competitive edge in polar capabilities. The vessel represents not only a technological leap but also a strategic statement in safeguarding American interests in polar territories for decades to come.