Austal USA marked a milestone last week with the announcement of the construction on the first U.S. Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) at its Mobile shipbuilding facility.

The cutter, named Pickering (WSMM 919), is the inaugural vessel under a contract that includes up to 11 cutters, potentially valued at $3.3 billion according to a news release.

The ceremony featured Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael Campbell as a keynote speaker, underscoring the importance of the OPC program in modernizing the Coast Guard's fleet. The Heritage-class OPCs are designed to replace the aging medium endurance cutters, bridging the gap between the service's national security cutters and fast response cutters.

"Austal USA is excited to begin construction on the first of these high priority cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard," said vice president of new construction programs Dave Growden in the release. "This contract exemplifies the flexibility of our workforce and importance of our steel panel line to Austal USA's future success. Our multi-talented shipbuilders are well prepared to demonstrate their capability to produce the same high-quality steel ship as they have been producing for our aluminum programs."

Per the release, the 360-foot OPC will play a role in supporting the national security strategy by addressing economic, social, environmental and military security mission areas. With a range of 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots and a 60-day endurance, the OPCs will undertake missions beyond 12 nautical miles from shore. These include law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction and search and rescue operations.

Each OPC will serve as a mobile command and control platform, equipped to handle surge operations such as hurricane response and mass migration incidents. Additionally, the cutters will aid in Arctic operations, regulating and safeguarding emerging commerce and energy exploration in Alaska.

To support this major contract, Austal USA has invested over $500 million to expand its manufacturing capabilities. The company recently began construction on a new assembly building, which will provide 192,000 square feet of covered space. The facility will feature three bays, two of which are specifically designed for constructing the OPCs.