Ok...Theres been much in the news about the Coast Guard and Deepwater. Mainly the high costs and ship design flaws. So, my question is this:
1: How much does the hull of a DDG cost? (empty with no equipment)
Here's my thought:
Why re-invent the wheel. Since there is already a ship that could probally perform CG missions, why didnt the CG buy a DDG without the equipment that isn't used by the CG. To cut costs we could eliminate sonar, VLS, SPY-1, ect..., and use the extra space for automated systems, crew berthing, actual holding cells for drug runners, ect...
We may not be able to purchase as many right away, but over time, we could build up a decent fleet of them.
I remember years ago sitting in a doctors office and reading some sort of Navy magazine...I think it was called "Proceedings" or something.
There was a story about how the Coast Guard was trying to get four Oliver Perry Class Fast Frigates from the Navy. It told how there are two lengths and that the longer could have two H-60's aboard.
I don't know how old the Perry Class Frigates are but I was a bit surprised it never went any further. Supposedly it was all about having a large enough "cutter" to support two J-Hawks while on patrol in the Caribbean.
And since we brought up the Germans, heres a video of two of their ships colliding. Right at the end of the video, you can see a flash of the German flag on someone's shoulder.
DDG = 505 ft length, 59 ft beam, 8300-9200 tons displacement NSC = 418 ft length, 45(?) ft beam, 4300 tons displacement
The gas/diesel propulsion combination of the NSC beats the DDG in economy hands down. The DDG isn't designed for diesels which makes it one hungry ship in the fuel consumption category. I don't think the CG could afford or justify the fuel expense of those ships considering the missions we're assigned.
Top that with increased maintenance of 87 extra feet of hull and the increased crewing necessary. I just don't think the balance of economy to mission requirements is there.
Who needs nuclear powered ships or gas turbine engines?
The USCG has the hybrid powered German built Cutter Eagle: diesel/wind.
We can patrol the Caribbean the old school way.
Yeah, now there is a real valuable resource.. for recruiting only...
Sailing ships have no place in todays Coast Guard. They do nothing but eat up money. Any (most) training done aboard Eagle can only be used on Eagle since the CG only has one cutter with "sails"....
In my opinion cadets could be taught a hell of a lot more aboard a real cutter. They just may learn things they would use in real day too day life.
Eagle is a valuable piece of history for the CG, but, as with many other things, it has become outdated. Time, in my opinion, to put the money to better use.
The last time I saw EAGLE underway near Puerto Rico they were a motor vessel. No sails rigged underway on diesel. We were on MOHAWK, heading west and they were heading east.
Years ago, when the FFGs were being bandied about it was determined they would be too expensive to operate - one of the reasons the Navy wanted to get rid of them...
