U.S. Coast Guard airborne radar experts needed multi-mode radar systems for the new Alenia Aermacchi HC-27J Spartan medium-range, fixed-wing surveillance aircraft. They found their solution from Telephonics Corp. in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Officials of the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, N.J., on behalf of the Coast Guard, have announced a $31.8 million contract to Telephonics for as many as 19 multi-mode radar systems for the HC-27J aircraft in support of the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard plans to commission a fleet of 14 HC-27J Spartan turboprop surveillance aircraft by 2022 for maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue missions. The HC-27J is a modified surveillance variant of the C-27J. Monday’s contract includes related engineering services and logistics support.
The HC-27J aircraft particularly is suited to detect, classify, and identify maritime targets. These aircraft are refurbished versions of retired U.S. Air Force C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft. Regeneration of all 14 aircraft is scheduled for this year 2018.
Telephonics provides the APS-143G and AN/APS-508 multi-mission intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) radar systems for medium to large fixed-wing aircraft on long-range surveillance missions over sea, land, or air.
The radar systems are designed for maritime, littoral, and land surveillance applications, and has an integrated identification friend or foe (IFF) interrogator. The AN/APS-508 is deployed aboard the Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora aircraft.
The AN/APS-508 radar is built together by Telephonics and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) in Richmond, British Columbia, and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) in Ottawa. It provides an advanced multi-mode surveillance and imaging capability including ground moving target indicator mode.
The HC-27J aircraft has night vision goggle-compatible cockpit seats, and accommodates two pilots and one loadmaster. In addition to the multi-mode radar, the plan also has the fixed-wing Minotaur mission system suite and avionics for mission performance and safety. It also has military communications, surveillance systems, integrated surface search radar, and electro-optical and infrared sensors.
The HC-27J has two Rolls-Royce turboprop engines and two six-blade composite propellers. It can fly at a cruise speed of 290 knots, and has a maximum speed of 317 knots. It has a range of 2,675 nautical miles and an endurance of 12 hours.
On this contract, Telephonics will do the work in Farmingdale, N.Y., and should be finished in May 2023. For more information contact Telephonics online at www.telephonics.com.
