NEW YORK, 20 Feb. 2009. L-3 Communications' Communication Systems-East (CS-East) division won a contract from Bollinger Shipyards to provide the C4ISR system for the U.S. Coast Guard's Fast Response Cutter (FRC) program.
Under an initial two-year contract, the company will design and deliver the first production shipset C4ISR architecture and related training systems, says a representative. This contract includes options for an additional 33 shipsets which, if exercised, would result in an overall rcontract value in excess of $100 million.
C4ISR stands for command, control, communications, computers, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Greg Roberts, president of L-3 Communication Systems-East, says: "We've utilized best in class products including the integrated bridge and navigation control system from L-3 Marine Systems, alarms and announcing systems from L-3 Henschel, and our MarCom integrated and automated internal/external voice communications system. Our C4ISR systems will make the Sentinel the most capable patrol boat in the Coast Guard fleet."
The FRC, also known as "The Sentinel Class," is a 154-foot cutter. The C4ISR systems on the Sentinel Class patrol boat will be interoperable with the Coast Guard's existing and future platforms and also with those of the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.
The first FRC Sentinel Class patrol boat will be delivered in early 2011.
The Coast Guard is also considering plans which could increase the total ship quantity to 58 ships.
