Five years into the Deepwater contract, some assets have been delivered and are undergoing planned improvements or initial testing, but several other assets have encountered significant problems. For example, engine upgrades to the HH-65 helicopters are well underway, the first two Maritime Patrol Aircraft have been delivered, and eight Short-Range Prosecutor cutter- based small patrol boats have been delivered according to schedule. In contrast, other Deepwater assets have experienced problems, which have created a number of challenges for the Coast Guard in terms of delivery delays and loss of operational capabilities. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VUAV) has experienced delays as the Coast Guard assesses alternatives; the 123-foot patrol boats experienced structural problems and were eventually removed from service; and the Fast Response Cutter (FRC), which was to replace the Coast Guard's legacy patrol boat fleet, experienced design problems and the Coast Guard suspended all work. Further, the National Security Cutter (NSC) has structural problems with the first two hulls that, if not corrected, will reduce the fatigue lives of these vessels. To address these and other challenges, the Coast Guard is taking a variety of actions, such as relying more heavily on legacy assets to help address patrol hour shortages, making plans to purchase off-the-shelf assets to expedite delivery, and planning corrective structural modifications. Over the past several years, we have expressed concerns and made recommendations regarding the Coast Guard s ability to manage and oversee the Deepwater program. Our concerns have centered on three main areas:.


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    Title :

    Coast Guard. Challenges Affecting Deepwater Asset Deployment and Management and Efforts to Address Them


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2007


    Size :

    83 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English