Another way of looking at this designation is that current and future polar security cutters are mobile Coast Guard multi-mission platforms that have long-range endurance and are specifically designed for polar operations. (See the latest version here.) Further, any requirements analysis conducted by the Coast Guard regarding overall Great Lakes icebreaking requirements shall not assume any greater assistance rendered by Canadian icebreakers than was rendered during the past two ice seasons and shall include meeting the demands of United States commerce in all U.S. waters of the Great Lakes and their harbors and connecting channels. opportunities to accelerate the acquisition and request legislative remedies, if necessary. A “polar security cutter” is essentially a Coast Guard national security cutter that can break ice and operate effectively in unforgiving polar environments. The total recommended for this program fully supports the Polar Security Cutter program of record and provides the resources that are required to continue this critical acquisition. [6] In January 2018, Commandant Adm. Zukunft said that "in the event this world changes in the next 5, 10, even 15 years from now," the icebreakers will be designed with space, weight, and power (SWAP) reservations sufficient to weaponize the icebreakers at some point in the future. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated December 23, 2020] Show summary Open resource [pdf] ( open full abstract ) From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program--the Coast Guard's program for acquiring new PSCs (i.e., heavy polar … [note 1][1] The polar security cutter will be based on a German research vessel that will be modified to meet USCG requirements, it will have a diesel-electric propulsion system, and will have accommodations for 186 crew, scientists, and others as a part of mission packages. Both ships are planned to be replaced by three heavy and three medium icebreakers. The medium icebreaker should be able to break ice not less than 4.5 feet (1.4 m) thick at 3 kts and operate for 80 days without replenishment. The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, with 75,000 horsepower and 13,500-tons displacement, breaks through Antarctic ice en route to the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station, Jan. 15, 2017. The Senate committee, like its counterpart in the House, has recommended approval of the Administration request for $555M that would fund the second Polar Security Cutter. (Page 73). (Page 72), Polar Ice Breaking Vessel.—The Committee recognizes the value of heavy polar icebreakers in promoting the national security and economic interests of the United States in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and recommends $555,000,000, which is the requested amount. This statement addresses (1) the Coast Guard’s assessment of capability gaps in the region, and (2) key risks facing the Polar Security Cutter acquisition. The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, and one medium icebreaker, the … Change ), CRS, “Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated November 11, 2020”. Other author/creator: Library of Congress. The vessels … The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, and one medium icebreaker, the USCGC Healy. In comparison, Finland’s new IB Polaris heavy icebreaker is about 360-feet long, according to its builder Artia. [7] In September 2018, the Coast Guard announced that the icebreakers would be called Polar Security Cutters, that they would have the designation WMSP, and that the Coast Guard wanted the icebreakers to be capable of carrying deck-mounted weapons if needed. [15] The Polar Icebreakers will be built to a mix of military and commercial standards. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [October 26, 2018] [open pdf - 2 MB] "The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program, previously known as the polar icebreaker (PIB) program, is a program to acquire three new heavy polar icebreakers, to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new medium polar … The program baseline review is completed and is in the design stage. The Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program, previously known as the polar icebreaker (PIB) program, is a program to acquire three new heavy polar icebreakers, to be followed years from now by the acquisition of up to three new medium polar icebreakers. Reported a displacement of 33,000 long tons ( 34,000 t ) format: Electronic and Book: [. 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