Offshore Patrol Cutter

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Offshore Patrol Cutter also known as the Maritime Security Cutter, Medium, was one design among several new cutter designs developed as part of the Integrated Deepwater System Program.

The cutter was originally proposed to include two rear-launching ramps, each capable of launching and retrieving a RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat), without first stopping. Unlike smaller cutters, like the Marine Protector, the Offshore Patrol Cutter and the National Security Cutter will be able to launch and retrieve both the Short Range Prosecutor and the larger Long Range Interceptor. The RHIBs will be used for intercepting suspect vessels, or for rescuing swimmers. Both RHIB types are propelled by diesel powered water jets. The WMSM will be built to ABS naval vessel rules with CG modification. The WMSM will have the ability to install additional equipment (Armament) and systems to augment its capabilities if it is required to conduct operations in higher threat environments in support of national security objectives or other missions. The WMSM's construction will provide combat survivability against various threats, the WMSM will have the capability and equipment to escape from a CBRNE and/or TIC contaminated environment. The WMSM will meet a range of roles from Theater Security Cooperation to deploying with an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)

In 2010 and 2011 some commentators speculated that the entire program was vulnerable to cancellation on budgetary grounds, because of the long delay in finalizing a preliminary design.

A bill passed by the United States Congress on November 15, 2011, imposed conditions on the Coast Guard's capital expenditures, that revolved around the design of the Offshore Patrol Cutter.

By December 2011 plans for the cutter started to become more concrete. Plans to include a stern launching ramp, as on the National Security Cutters and the Fast Response Cutters, had been eliminated on budgetary grounds.

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