
In a surprise, the congressional appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018 includes funding for two Coast Guard National Security Cutters (NSC), moving the program within one vessel of a one-for-one replacement of legacy high endurance cutters.The FY ’18 Omnibus Appropriations Bill contains $1.2 billion for the NSC program to complete the acquisition of the 10th vessel and fund long-lead materials and construction of the 11th ship. This is the most funding the program has ever received and is roughly equal…