Legend-class

The Legend-class cutter, also designated the National Security Cutter (NSC), is a class of patrol vessels operated by the United States Coast Guard. Developed under the Integrated Deepwater System Program to replace the Hamilton-class, the vessels were constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding. The first ship in the class entered service in 2008. While the program of record originally planned for a larger fleet, ten vessels were completed and the eleventh hull was canceled in 2025. Following the cancellation of the Constellation-class program, the NSC design was selected as the basis for the Navy's FF(X) frigate.

The vessels are constructed with a steel hull and superstructure, adhering to level-1 survivability standards and U.S. Navy damage stability criteria. The design incorporates a modified mast and reduced radar cross-section features to increase stealth. For mission flexibility, the class utilizes a rear-launching ramp capable of deploying and retrieving rigid-hulled inflatable boats while underway. Aviation facilities include a flight deck and hangar for helicopters and small unmanned aerial systems. The ships are equipped with air and surface search radars, an electronic warfare suite, and a degaussing capability. Defensive systems include a main gun with ballistic protection, close-in weapon systems, and decoy launchers. The class is designed for operations in low-to-medium threat environments and includes nuclear, biological, and chemical detection and wash-down systems.

Operational deployments include maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, fisheries protection, and defense operations. The class has performed naval warfare tasks in coordination with the U.S. Navy, including participating in the 2012 RIMPAC exercises where a vessel tracked missile threats and provided naval gunfire support. During early service, the program identified structural fatigue issues and fatigue life concerns, particularly for operations in the North Pacific and North Atlantic. This resulted in the installation of structural enhancements; the first two hulls were retrofitted with reinforcements, while subsequent cutters received these modifications during construction. The vessels are currently homeported in California, South Carolina, and Hawaii. Ten ships remain in active service.