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Polar Security Cutter program
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<p>The Polar Security Cutter Program is a program to recapitalize the <a href="/facts/United_States_Coast_Guard/6d7SWTP9">United States Coast Guard's</a> aging fleet of <a href="/facts/Icebreaker/jMGLK96X">icebreakers</a>, currently consisting of the heavy icebreaker <a href="/facts/USCGC_Polar_Star_(WAGB-10)/IgBg2GdC">USCGC <i>Polar Star</i></a> and the medium icebreaker <a href="/facts/USCGC_Healy_(WAGB-20)/YN89D586">USCGC <i>Healy</i></a>, with three new multi-mission vessels referred to as Polar Security Cutters (PSC). These heavy polar icebreakers will allow the USCG to perform its <a href="/facts/Missions_of_the_United_States_Coast_Guard/5fBkAEep">statutory missions</a> in the Arctic as well as support the <a href="/facts/United_States_Antarctic_Program/E9g0E5rh">United States Antarctic Program</a> with <a href="/facts/Operation_Deep_Freeze/1Q2u4Pst">Operation Deep Freeze</a>. </p><p>The PSC program is managed by the USCG and <a href="/facts/United_States_Navy/xYK0fUou">United States Navy</a> through an integrated program office. On 23 April 2019, <a href="/facts/Halter_Marine/lll9ez59">Halter Marine Inc</a> was awarded the contract for the detail design and construction of the lead PSC. The contract option for the second PSC was exercised on 30 December 2021. As of July 2023<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polar_Security_Cutter_program&action=edit">[update]</a>, the first vessel is expected to enter service in mid-to-late-2020s and will be named USCGC <i>Polar Sentinel</i>. </p><p>In the future, the PSCs will be followed by the acquisition of three medium icebreakers referred to as Arctic Security Cutters (ASC). </p>