According to information published by the US Department of Homeland Security on April 23, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard has officially added the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) to its fleet. The ceremony, held at Coast Guard Base Charleston, was presided over by Adm. Linda Fagan, the Commandant of the Coast Guard.
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Legend class cutter USCGC Calhoun. (Picture source: US Coast Guard)
The Calhoun, a Legend-class national security cutter, represents the 10th vessel of its kind and the fourth to be based in North Charleston. It joins the ranks alongside the Cutters Hamilton (WMSL 753), James (WMSL 754), and Stone (WMSL 758).
The construction of the Calhoun began in 2019 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, with the cutter being delivered to the Coast Guard in October 2023. Following operations that included oil spill response and counter-migration efforts, the cutter arrived at its permanent station in North Charleston on December 3, 2023.
The Calhoun’s primary missions include counterdrug operations, migrant interdiction, protection of living marine resources, and enhancing defense readiness, supporting Coast Guard activities globally.
About the USCGC Calhoun
This vessel has a displacement of 4,500 long tons and stretches to a length of 418 feet. Its beam measures 54 feet, while the draft is recorded at 22.5 feet. Powered by a combined diesel and gas propulsion system, it can reach speeds up to 28 knots and boasts a range of 12,000 nautical miles. Designed for prolonged operations, it can sustain 60 to 90-day patrol cycles and accommodates a crew complement of 120 personnel.
The ship is equipped with advanced sensory and processing systems, including the AN/SPS-75 air search radar, the SPQ-9B fire control radar, and the AN/SPS-79 surface search radar. It is also fortified with electronic warfare capabilities, featuring the AN/SLQ-32 system and supported by 2 x Mk-36 SRBOC and 2 x Mk-53 NULKA countermeasures chaff and rapid decoy launchers.
Armament is comprehensive, comprising a Mk-110 57 mm naval gun system, a 20 mm Block 1B Phalanx close-in weapons system, four .50 caliber machine guns, and two M240B 7.62 mm machine guns. Additional protection is offered through ballistic shielding around the main gun. The ship's aviation facilities are capable of hosting up to two MH-65C Dolphin MCH helicopters or a combination of one MH-65C Dolphin MCH and two small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).
