Humanproof selected for Offshore Patrol Cutter Human Factors Support

Humanproof to Provide Human Factors Engineering Support on the Largest Acquisition Program in US Coast Guard History

Arlington, VA – September 2016 – This month, Humanproof was selected to provide Human Factors Engineering services and support on the final design and hull construction of the US Coast Guard’s new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). If the Coast Guard replaces its aging fleet of Medium Endurance Cutters and builds all 25 proposed cutters, it will be the largest acquisition in US Coast Guard history—worth more than $10 billion. 

Humanproof worked closely with Eastern Shipbuilding Group, the prime contractor, during the preliminary design (Phase 1) of this initiative. The OPC includes increased range and endurance; powerful weapons; a larger flight deck; and improved command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment and capabilities, and will accommodate aircraft and small boat operations. 

Ensuring both the safety of sailors and the efficiency of the OPC features are a US Coast Guard investment priority; the OPC will be the most sailor-centric cutter ever built.

Developing a human-centered design early in the ship design process and then optimizing it through the engineering and testing phases increases both the mission- and cost-effectiveness of the system. Humanproof analysts, using advanced 3-D human modeling and simulation tools, will accurately assess key factors such as sailor access, egress, safety, habitability and occupational health. Additionally, Humanproof will develop and execute a rigorous modeling, simulation, testing and evaluation program to ensure total system effectiveness and usability. A sound, human-centered design can reduce injuries, improve system and subsystem effectiveness, and optimize human performance.

Humanproof is the only company constructed at its core on the principles of Human Systems Integration: the science of building effective and efficient interfaces between people, technology, and the context within which they function.

In a statement, Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft said, “whether combating transnational organized criminal networks off Central America or patrolling in the increasingly accessible Arctic, the Offshore Patrol Cutter will ensure our nation’s maritime security and economic interests are preserved for decades to come.”

“We are excited to be an integral part of the design in the next generation of cutters. The opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of Human Systems Integration (HSI) to something so important to our homeland security fulfills the vision of why we started Humanproof in the first place,” says Eugene St.Clair, President and CEO of Humanproof.

The final design work in this Phase 2 construction contract was chosen from three bids, with Eastern Shipbuilding and its team of subcontractors successfully winning over design approaches from Bollinger and General Dynamics. The first OPC is expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2021.

Humanproof is a Virginia-based company that focuses on ensuring the highest possible level of human performance on the systems design of large-scale, complex systems. For further information, contact Mr. Eugene St.Clair at Eugene.st.clair@humanproof.com, phone (800) 541-9624, or visit www.humanproof.com.