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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
COAST GUARD SHIPS AND CRAFT
BEAR cutters (1983 - 1990)
Photo
Escanaba 2002
Ships
| No | Name | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMEC901 | Bear | Tacoma Boatbuilding | 23.8.1979 | 25.9.1980 | 4.2.1983 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC902 | Tampa | Tacoma Boatbuilding | 2.4.1980 | 19.3.1981 | 16.3.1984 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC903 | Harriet Lane | Tacoma Boatbuilding | 15.10.1980 | 6.2.1982 | 20.9.1984 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC904 | Northland | Tacoma Boatbuilding | 9.4.1981 | 7.5.1982 | 17.12.1984 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC905 | Spencer (ex-Seneca) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 26.6.1982 | 16.6.1984 | 28.6.1986 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC906 | Seneca (ex-Pickering) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 16.9.1982 | 16.6.1984 | 4.5.1987 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC907 | Escanaba | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 1.4.1983 | 24.8.1985 | 27.8.1987 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC908 | Tahoma (ex-Legare) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 28.6.1983 | 24.8.1985 | 6.4.1988 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC909 | Campbell (ex-Argus) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 10.8.1984 | 30.8.1986 | 19.8.1988 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC910 | Thetis (ex-Tahoma) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 24.8.1984 | 30.8.1986 | 30.6.1989 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC911 | Forward (ex-Erie) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 11.7.1986 | 18.8.1987 | 4.8.1990 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC912 | Legare (ex-McCulloch) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 11.7.1986 | 18.8.1987 | 4.8.1990 | in service (2019) | |
| WMEC913 | Mohawk (ex-Ewing) | Robert E. Derecktor, Middletown | 18.6.1987 | 18.5.1988 | 20.3.1990 | in service (2019) |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 1200 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 1780 |
| Length, m | 77.7 wl 82.3 oa |
| Breadth, m | 11.6 |
| Draught, m | 4.11 |
| No of shafts | 2 |
| Machinery | 2 Alco Model 18V-251E diesels |
| Power, h. p. | 7200 |
| Max speed, kts | 19.5 |
| Fuel, t | diesel oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 10250(12) |
| Armament | 1 x 1 - 76/62 Mk 75, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 1 helicopter (HH-65) |
| Electronic equipment | SPS-64(v)1, SPS-64(v)6, Mk 92 radars, SLQ-32(v)2 ECM suite, 2x Mk 36 SRBOC decoy RL |
| Complement | 116 |
Standard scale images
Bear 2010
Graphics
Escanaba 2002
Project history
These 270ft medium endurance cutters were originally designed to replace the 'Secretary' class high endurance units built before the Second World War. As in the case of the Reliance class, very large numbers were planned but not built. they lack any on-board ASW sensor or weapon, but their helicopter pad is large enough to accommodate at wartime LAMPS III helicopter and they have space and weight for a SQR-18A towed array. They also have space and weight reserved for possible wartime installations of one Phalanx CIWS, eight Harpoon SSMs in quadruple canisters and four light weapons (12.7mm MGs or 40mm grenade launchers) on spare positions. FY88 Congress paid for an experimental conversion of one ship to emergency ASW platform, with an SQR-18 towed array, LAMPS data link, and SQR-17 helicopter/array processor. WMEC907 ran trials with a LAMPS III helicopter during 1988.
Modernizations
2005-2015, all: - SPS-64(v)1 radar; + SPS-73 radar, SCCS CCS
Naval service
No significant events.
