With a displacement of about 4,600 tons, a 28-knot top speed, and a 12,000-nautical-mile range, the Legend class has the scale and reach for distant presence missions. Such assignments include the South China Sea, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Black Sea. Coast Guard crews already conduct maritime-security engagement, especially in the Americas, so the service brings experience in cooperation and enforcement. A white cutter can demonstrate American attention without carrying the same political signal as a grey Navy deployment. It still needs enough speed, endurance, and self-defence for contested waters. Sea Sparrow is recommended as an upgrade. The current fit described here does not include it.
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Legend-class presence without a warship's signal
Legend-class cutters can support partners and show American attention while carrying a less confrontational political signal than a Navy warship.