US Coast Guard HC-144A deliveries remain on-track
A new HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft has been delivered by Airbus Defense and Space (D&S) to the US Coast Guard, bringing the fleet total to 17 HC-144A aircraft.
This is the second of three HC-144As planned for delivery in 2014. The aircraft will join the fleet operating from Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; and Miami, Florida; where it will perform a range of maritime patrol missions, including search and rescue, homeland security and disaster response.
Ocean Sentry is based on the Airbus D&S CN235 tactical airlifter. The aircraft are supplied to the coast guard equipped with a search radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, an Automatic Identification System for data collection from vessels at sea, and a communications suite.
The Coast Guard is planning to stand up the fourth HC-144A air station in Corpus Christi, Texas, later this year. In total up to 36 of these maritime patrol aircraft will be acquired by the US Coast Guard.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations
The NEREUS project aims to enhance and expand the US Navy’s existing communications systems, enabling crewed/uncrewed seabed and subsurface missions.
-
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.