USCG Suspends Work on Heritage-Class Cutters as Part of Force Design 2028 Modernization Plan
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a temporary stop-work order on the construction of two Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), signaling a critical turn in the service’s long-term modernization strategy under the Force Design 2028 initiative. The move reflects a broader shift in mission readiness, fleet flexibility, and strategic asset alignment amid evolving maritime security challenges.
The suspension affects vessels being built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, a key contractor based in Panama City, Florida. This decision comes shortly after the cancellation of a separate procurement for a Legend-class National Security Cutter, suggesting that the USCG is actively reassessing its fleet composition and procurement priorities.
Force Design 2028, introduced to reshape how the Coast Guard operates in the coming decades, focuses on creating a more agile, mission-ready fleet. It emphasizes adaptability in responding to a rapidly changing global maritime landscape, including great power competition, Arctic operations, cyber threats, and humanitarian missions.
The Heritage-class OPCs were envisioned as the Coast Guard's next-generation backbone for medium-endurance missions, bridging the capabilities gap between the smaller Fast Response Cutters and the larger National Security Cutters. The temporary suspension has raised questions within the maritime and defense communities about future procurement timelines and the evolving role of cutters in national security strategy.
According to USCG officials, the pause is not necessarily a cancellation but a measure to evaluate cost-efficiency, operational requirements, and industrial capacity. "This step allows us to realign our acquisition programs with the service’s strategic goals," a spokesperson noted.
Industry experts suggest that this could open doors for updated cutter designs, advanced technology integration, and potentially new partnerships in the shipbuilding sector.
As part of the ongoing modernization effort, the Coast Guard is expected to release updated acquisition plans in the coming months, clarifying the future of the Heritage-class program and the overall direction of the OPC fleet.
