DHS S&T takes part in weeks-long assessment of National Security Cutters’ capabilities

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently collaborated with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) to assess critical mission capabilities of two National Security Cutters (NSC) through weeks of at-sea testing.

The cutters, the USCGC Hamilton and the USCGC James, can be deployed in missions that encompass homeland security, national defense, law enforcement, environmental protection and maritime safety. As the largest USCG combat ships, cutters can launch boats, helicopters, and drones. Cutters also have greater sustained transit speed, endurance, and range than all other vessels, according to the Navy.

“In a collaborative effort, S&T partnered with testers from the Coast Guard and the Navy to evaluate the cutters’ varied mission capabilities,” Greg Simmons, deputy director for national preparedness programs within the S&T Office of Test and Evaluation, said. “S&T is charged with providing test and evaluation information to support acquisition decisions of the DHS chief acquisition officer.”

The NSCs underwent weeks of at-sea testing off the shores of Virginia and North Carolina. New integrated command-and-control systems, cutter boats Over the Horizon IV and Long Range Interceptor II, the 57-millimeter deck gun, and the close-in weapons systems were all evaluated.

“S&T provided critical, unbiased assessment of mission capabilities, in collaboration with the USCG and the Department of Defense, in a great example of S&T’s commitment to ensure homeland security end users receive the equipment needed to carry out their missions,” a DHS release stated. “S&T’s efforts will have a positive, long-term impact on the future execution of USCG operations.”