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
-
![How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?]()
How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
-
![US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months]()
US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
-
![What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future]()
What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
