EADS North America awarded U.S. Coast Guard contract for HC-144A Maritime Patrol Aircraft

    Aug. 30, 2010
    ARLINGTON, Va., 30 Aug. 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard awarded prime contractor EADS North America a $117 million contract for three HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft, with options for as many as six more aircraft over the next four years. The HC-144A is based on the Airbus Military CN235 tactical airlifter.
    Posted by John McHaleARLINGTON, Va., 30 Aug. 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard awarded prime contractor EADS North America a $117 million contract for three HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft, with options for as many as six more aircraft over the next four years. The HC-144A is based on the Airbus Military CN235 tactical airlifter.The Ocean Sentry plays a crucial role in Coast Guard aviation missions that include: maritime patrol; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); cargo and personnel transport; and disaster relief.EADS North America will deliver the HC-144A with a search radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, an Automatic Identification System for data collection from vessels at sea, and a communications suite. A rear ramp allows for easy cargo operations, and also accommodates a roll-on-roll-off mission systems pallet that the Coast Guard is acquiring separately for the Ocean Sentry. The HC-144 offers superior range and loiter time, enabling it to stay on station longer during search and rescue, patrol or persistent surveillance operations, EADS officials say.The HC-144A achieved initial operational capability and performed in a variety of situations, including the Coast Guard's responses to the Haiti earthquake and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ocean Sentries have even been used to transport rehabilitated wildlife affected by the spill.The Coast Guard currently operates ten Ocean Sentries and will receive another later this year. EADS North America will begin deliveries of the aircraft covered by this latest contract award in 2011. Plans call for the Coast Guard to acquire a total fleet of 36 Ocean Sentries. The HC-144A is replacing the Coast Guard's aging fleet of HU-25 Guardian Falcon jets.

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