The 378-foot High Endurance Cutter class are the largest cutters, aside from the two Polar Class Icebreakers, ever built for the Coast Guard. Highly versatile and capable of performing a variety of missions, these cutters operate throughout the world's oceans. They are powered by diesel engines and gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the 1960s. The first of the class was the Hamilton (WHEC-715) commissioned in 1967. The ships were built at an approximate cost of $16 million to $20 million [in then-year dollars]. Initially 32 of vessles of this class were to be built though only 12 were ever constructed.

With a flight deck capable of landing a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin or HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, a state of the art communications and sensor suite and extended endurance, the WHEC cutter is a floating command center capable of coordinating ships and aircraft for search and rescue or responding to natural and environmental accidents and disasters.

The fleet was modernized in the 1980's and 1990's.

Geometry is parented and grouped.

Photoshop texture sources are provided as a free, separate download for purchasers of this asset.

See readme for contact and other details.

*** Updated 7/12/04 with minor texture and surface fixes ***