Coast Guard takes delivery of cutter Waesche

[unhappycamper]

Coast Guard takes delivery of cutter Waesche
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 8, 2009 14:08:13 EST

PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The Coast Guard has taken delivery of the second in a new class of cutters built by Northrop Grumman Corp.

The latest, the Waesche, was delivered Friday at Northrop’s Pascagoula shipyard. Eight Legend-class cutters are planned.

Bob Merchent, Northrop’s vice president of surface combatants and Coast Guard programs, called the cutters flagships of the Coast Guard fleet.

While the Waesche is only the second in her class, Merchent said she’s “far ahead” of her predecessor, the Bertholf, in fit, finish and mission readiness.

The ship, which includes two aircraft hangars and a flight deck capable of handling rotary wing and manned and unmanned aircraft, can accommodate a crew of up to 148.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_coastguard_cutter_waesche_110809/



unhappycamper comment: Meet the $641 million dollar Deepwater cutter's sister:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Bertholf_(WMSL-750)



USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750)
Career (USCG) Ensign of the United States Coast Guard.svg
Ordered: January 2001
Builder: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Mississippi
Cost: $641 million<1>
Laid down: March 29, 2005
Launched: September 29, 2006
Christened: November 11, 2006
Commissioned: August 4, 2008
Homeport: Alameda, California
Motto: "Legends Begin Here"
Status: Commissioned
General characteristics
Type: National Security Cutter
Displacement: 4500 LT
Length: 418 feet
Beam: 54 feet
Draught: 30 feet
Propulsion: Combined diesel and gas
Speed: 28+ knots
Range: 12,000 nm
Complement: 113 (14 Officers)
Sensors and
processing systems: EADS 3D TRS-16 Air Search Radar
SPQ-9B Fire Control Radar
AN/SPS-73 Surface Search Radar
AN/SLQ-32
Electronic warfare
and decoys: AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System
Armament: 57 mm gun and Gunfire Control System
Close-In Weapons System
2 SRBOC/ 2 NULKA countermeasures chaff/rapid decoy launcher
4 50 Caliber Machine Guns
2 M240B 7.62mm Light Machine Guns
Aircraft carried: (2) MH-65C Dolphin MCH, or (4) VUAV or (1) MH-65C Dolphin MCH and (2) VUAV
Aviation facilities: 50x80 fo