Northrop to deliver SICS for USCG’s sixth Legend-class cutter

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to deliver the ship integrated control system (SICS) for installation on to the sixth Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) for the US Coast Guard.

Under the $6.9m contact, Northrop will provide SICS, which comprises an integrated bridge system as well as the steering control, steering gear, machinery control and monitoring system.

The company will also provide engineering services need to complete the installation, as well as integration, testing and commissioning of the systems at HII’s shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, US.

Northrop Grumman Maritime Systems business unit vice president Bill Hannon said, "The SICS provides the National Security Cutter with a sound, time-tested architecture and reliable shipboard infrastructure for the integrated bridge, machinery controls and steering systems, three major components where correct integration is particularly essential to mission effectiveness and long-term efficiency."

Capable of performing maritime homeland security and coastal defence missions, the 418ft-long Legend-class cutters have a displacement capacity of 4,500t when fully loaded, a range of 12,000m, can endure for 60 days and accommodate a crew of 110.

Powered by MTU combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system, the vessels can cruise at a maximum speed of 28k.

The US Coast Guard is planning to acquire a total of eight national security cutters.

Scheduled to commence in late 2014, work under the contract will be carried out at Northrop’s facilities in Charlottesville and in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, US as well as at HII facilities where field testing will also be performed.