OPC contract contains programs from a number of FMD manufacturers, reinforcing its place as a single-source protection contractor able to offering totally built-in options for maritime protection.
Austal USA has awarded Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) a contract for a spread of apparatus to help the development of WMSM-919, the U.S. Coast Guard’s fifth Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC).
Over the previous few years, Fairbanks Morse Defense, a portfolio firm of Arcline Investment Management, has made a sequence of acquisitions of long-established marine provider manufacturers and the Austal USA contract contains programs from a number of FMD manufacturers, reinforcing its position as a single-source defense contractor able to offering totally built-in options for maritime protection.
“Receiving this contract from Austal encapsulates what we’ve been working toward in recent years through the acquisition of several strategic maritime suppliers,” mentioned FMD CEO George Whittier. “The industry recognizes the tremendous added value we can bring through our ability to provide projects with a comprehensive equipment portfolio that spans all of our brands. We look forward to working with Austal on this program and further demonstrating our wide range of capabilities.”
Four of FMD’s not too long ago acquired corporations will likely be concerned within the OPC contract. The cross-company package deal for WMSM-919 contains the next:
- Main propulsion diesel engines (2) by Fairbanks Morse Defense
- Hangar door (1) by Federal Equipment Company (FEC)
- Stores elevator (1) by Federal Equipment Company (FEC)
- Reverse osmosis system (1) by Maxim Watermakers
- All-electric davits (2) by Welin Lambie
- Various electrical parts (cable trays, mild helps, piping helps, down comers, stuffing tubes, and many others.) by Research, Tool & Die (RT&D)
In July 2022, Austal USA was awarded a contract from the Coast Guard for element design and materials acquisition for the fifth OPC hull, with an possibility for as much as 11 hulls.
FMD was beforehand contracted to offer the primary propulsion engines for the primary 4 offshore patrol cutters: Argus (WMSM-915), Chase (WMSM-916), Ingham (WMSM-917), and Rush (WMSM-918).
Last yr, the Coast Guard awarded FMD a contract for opposed-piston engine elements for its Bay Class icebreaking tugboats.
