2nd NGC-built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful Builder's Trial

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Second Northrop Grumman-built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful Builder's Trials
UNITED STATES - 18 AUGUST 2009

The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) completed successful Builder's Trials on Monday after undergoing rigorous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship's return to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Gulf Coast facility here following trials marks the latest milestone for Waesche, which is nearing completion.

"Waesche's successful Builder's Trials prove what we have known for some time -- that our team has designed and built a great ship," said Bob Merchent, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's vice president of surface combatants and U.S. Coast Guard programs.

"Through the efforts of our entire U.S. Coast Guard shipbuilding team, Waesche has exceeded expectations throughout construction and has successfully accomplished the tests required for a successful Builder's Trials. We look forward to delivering another vital asset to the Coast Guard."

Waesche is the second ship in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

"The effort put in by everyone to get the ship here is astounding," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jim Knight, commanding officer, project resident office. "We are going to be delivering a platform that is mission-ready."

During the trials, extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control, and combat systems was conducted. The ship will return to sea in September for her acceptance trials and will be delivered to the Coast Guard this fall.

The Waesche's keel was laid Sept. 11, 2006, after first-in-class Bertholf's keel was laid in 2005. Waesche was christened July 26, 2008.

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,480 ton displacement at full load powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of 28 knots. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft and state of the art command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability and a sailor-centric design to facilitate optimized crewing and, enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.





Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Second Northrop Grumman-built National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) Delivered to U.S. Coast Guard
UNITED STATES - 6 NOVEMBER 2009

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 6, 2009 -- The U.S. Coast Guard accepted the second Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter, Waesche (WMSL 751) today at the company's shipyard in Pascagoula. Following acceptance, the Coast Guard placed Waesche 'In-Commission Special' during a ceremony on the flight deck of the ship.

"This is a proud moment for us," said Bob Merchent, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's vice president of surface combatants and U.S. Coast Guard programs. "It's the culmination of years of hard work by thousands of shipbuilders. We are delivering another technologically advanced ship to the Coast Guard. And once she becomes part of our nation's defense, we'll follow her progress with great interest and take pride in her successes."

Prior to delivery, Waesche successfully completed a rigorous round of sea trials. During acceptance trials last month, she performed all required sea trial evolutions for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and proved its operational success with extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control and combat systems. The success of the sea trials signaled the Coast Guard that the ship met all contractual requirements and would be ready to join the ranks of the Coast Guard's operational fleet.

Waesche is the second of eight planned ships in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is responsible for the construction and testing of the National Security Cutter (NSC)'s hull, mechanical, and electrical systems, while Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities onboard the cutters.

"Thank you to the skilled craftsmen here at the shipyard and elsewhere for building such a fine ship," said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Ronald J. Rabago, assistant commandant for Acquisition and Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO). "Your work will serve our nation, and the Coast Guard, for decades to come, providing for our safety and security. You've done great work here. You should be proud."

With the Coast Guard accepting delivery of the second NSC, the crew has begun to move aboard and operate the ship. Northrop Grumman will continue to complete work on the cutter under the guidance of the embarked crew and the ship's officers.
Waesche will remain at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding until December and will be commissioned at its homeport in Alameda, Calif., in May.

As Waesche prepares to depart from the shipyard, construction of the third NSC, Stratton, continues to make significant progress. The ship is currently 68 percent erected and 27 percent complete, following a new build strategy that completely outfits each grand block prior to erection and reduces the number of crane lifts required to erect the ship. Stratton's next production milestone is stern release, scheduled for Feb. 2010.

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,488 ton displacement at full load and is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of over 28 knots. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft and state-of-the-art command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability, and a design to facilitate optimized crewing and enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Northrop Grumman-Built U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) Commissioned in Ship's Home Port of Alameda
UNITED STATES - 7 MAY 2010

ALAMEDA, Calif., May 7, 2010 -- Today the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Waesche was commissioned here, allowing the service's most capable and technologically-advanced maritime asset to join the Coast Guard fleet.

"Today's commissioning completes the cycle from christening to commissioning of this highly capable ship," said Vice Admiral David Pekoske, Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. "It is through the strong partnership with industry, from concept to delivery, that you see this fine ship behind me. I thank our industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin for their industry best practices that built Waesche. Your employees who built this ship are providing a service to this nation and I thank you."

Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of admiral. He led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, which is the longest tenure of any USCG commandant.

Adm. Waesche's granddaughter and ship's sponsor Marilla Waesche Pivonka ordered the men and women of the Waesche crew to "man our ship and bring her to life." The crew responded with an "aye aye ma'am" and double-timed it through the spectators on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif.

"This is a proud day to be a shipbuilder," said Irwin F. Edenzon, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast. "When you see the Coast Guard bring USCGC Waesche to life, for us it represents the culmination of years of hard work by thousands of shipbuilders. I believe Admiral Waesche would understand the skills and experience required of craftsmen and women and the millions of hours of hard, yet careful, labor and striving every day to get it right and do it better."
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo assumed command as commanding officer of Waesche. The ship will be homeported in Alameda.

Waesche is the second of eight planned ships in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multimission cutters. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is responsible for the construction and testing of the NSC's hull, mechanical and electrical systems, while Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities onboard the cutters.

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,488 ton displacement at full load and is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of over 28 knots. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft and state-of-the-art command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability, and a design to facilitate optimized crewing and enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.





Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation