DTN News: US Coast Guard Orders Three Additional Airbus Military CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft

DTN News: US Coast Guard Orders Three Additional Airbus Military CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft * The US Coast Guard has ordered three additional Airbus Military CN235s through EADS-North America, which is the prime contractor for EADS military and defence products sold into the United States Source: DTN News / EADS-CASA (NSI News Source Info) MADRID, Spain - August 24, 2010: The US Coast Guard, which holds options for up to six more aircraft over the next four years, is using the CN235s as Maritime Patrol Aircraft, under the designation HC-144A Ocean Sentry. The contract

for the three HC-144As is valued at US $117 million. The HC-144 is based on the CN235 of which more than 250 are in operation in 26 countries. It plays a crucial role in Coast Guard aviation missions that include maritime patrol, ntelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, cargo and personnel transport, as well as disaster relief.The aircraft achieved initial operational capability last year, and has since distinguished itself with exceptional performance in a variety of situations, including the Coast Guard's responses to the Haiti earthquake and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. HC-144s have even been used to transport rehabilitated wildlife affected by the spill. “The men and women of the Coast Guard have an incredibly wide-ranging and challenging mission, and we are proud to provide them with an aircraft that matches their flexibility and readiness,” said Sean O'Keefe, EADS North America CEO. “This year we've seen the Ocean Sentry tested in some very high-profile missions, and it has delivered every time.” Adds Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Ureña: “This repeat order by the US Coast Guard is a great honour for us. It demonstrates that the CN235 is delivering on its promises and that they are very confident in the value of their „Ocean Sentry' aircraft for their future needs. This is really a great success for our product.” The Coast Guard currently operates ten Ocean Sentries and will receive another later this year. The newly ordered aircraft are to be delivered from 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. Based on the Airbus Military CN235 platform, the HC-144A will be fitted 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, allowing it to stay on station longer during search and rescue, patrol or persistent surveillance operations. About the CN235

Able to carry up to six tonnes of payload and a maximum cruise speed of 240 kt (450 km/h), the CN235 is able to take off from and land on short, semi-prepared runways with soft surfaces thanks to its Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) characteristics and the strong landing gear with tandem low-pressure tyre. Its excellent handling qualities, high manoeuvrability and fast engine (two General Electric GE CT7-9CE-3,1750 shp) response allow safe critical operations at a very low altitude. Outstanding reliability and supportability result in high aircraft availability and the lowest life cycle cost (LCC) in its class. The CN235 MPA is in operation with the USCG, the Irish Air Corps and the Civil Guard in Spain, among others. About Airbus Military

Airbus Military is the only military and civic transport aircraft manufacturer to develop, produce, sell and support a comprehensive family of airlifters ranging from three to 45 tonnes of payload. Within Airbus, Airbus Military is responsible for the A400M programme, as well as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A330 and for further military derivatives based on Airbus civil aircraft. Together with the smaller C295, CN235 and C212, Airbus Military is the global leader in the market segments for light and medium-sized military transport aircraft. Altogether Airbus Military has sold more than 1,000 aircraft with over 650 flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. Contacts for the media Jaime Perez-Guerra Head of Communications Airbus Military Airbus Military Tel.: +34 91.5 85 77 89 Fax: +34 91.5 85 72 64 Barbara Kracht Media Relations Airbus Military Airbus Military Tel.: +34 91.5 85 77 88 Fax: +34 91.5 85 72 64

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http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/our-company.html

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: CBO Says Navy, Coast Guard Could Swap Small-Ship Ideas

DTN News: CBO Says Navy, Coast Guard Could Swap Small-Ship Ideas

*Source: DTN News / Military Times

(NSI News Source Info) NEW YORK, USA - July 20, 2009: The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard small surface ship programs are too mature to combine, but each service could benefit from using the other's designs, according to a report released July 17 by the Congressional Budget Office. The Navy should consider buying a naval version of the Coast Guard's Legend-class National Security Cutter for long-range, presence missions. The Northrop Grumman-built ships have a range of 12,000 miles at 8 knots without a reserve. The Coast Guard could benefit from the Lockheed Martin version of the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship in two ways; first, to reduce technical risk on its Offshore Patrol Cutter program; second, to field a ship with a 40-plus-knot top speed that would be valuable for interdiction missions. The report, "Options for Combining the Navy's and the Coast Guard's Small Combatant Programs," also says Lockheed is developing a longer-range "Coast Guard" version of its LCS that would be able to steam 6,300 miles at 10 knots with a 30 percent reserve. The base Navy LCS has a range of 3,500 knots at about 18 knots.

DTN News: India Fast-Track Acquisition For Defense ~ US Offers Its Coast Guard Choppers To India

DTN News: India Fast-Track Acquisition For Defense ~ US Offers Its Coast Guard Choppers To India (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - June 9, 2009: The US has offered to lease out 12 of its Coast Guard's twin-engine helicopters to India which is looking to strengthen its coastal security following the Mumbai terror attacks.Dornier 228 NG ~ Purchased from Germany principally to be used as a light transport aircraft in the IAF, they are used in a variety of roles such as maritime patrol, search & rescue and reconnaissance in the Navy and in the Coast Guard. Both services operates 24 examples each of the type. The Do-228s complement the Tu-142 and the Il-38, in the maritime surveillance role, and are used to patrol coastal areas as well. In March 2005, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the induction of eleven Do-228-101 aircraft for the Indian Navy. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee stated that the purchase of these aircraft along with spares, engines, ground support equipment and operational role equipment would cost Rs 726 crore including a foreign exchange component of Rs 431.65 crore. He also mentioned that these aircraft will be used for maritime surveillance. No.310 Cobras Squadron was re-commissioned, with six Do-228 aircraft, in the IW (Information Warfare) role. The squadron is based at INS Hansa at Dabolim, Goa and is used in the ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) role. A press release from the MoD, dated 17 August 2005, stated that the Indian Navy acquired ten Do-228 aircraft from November 1998 to December 1999, for a cost of Rs 388.30 crore. HAL has received a $72 million order for seven license-built Do-228-101 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from the Coast Guard. They are likely to be supplemented by an additional 12 aircraft, in the follow-on five-year plan period after 2007. Deliveries were expected to commence in 2001 and was expected to take two years to complete. To date, there have been no confirmed reports from the Indian Coast Guard or HAL indicating that deliveries have taken place.*

"As the acquisition process will take time, we (India) want to have 12 twin-engine helicopters on lease for the Coast Guard. The US has offered to lease out its Coast Guard helicopters to us," a senior Defence Ministry official said here today.

However, India has also got some offers from within the country. But it has to be seen if these civilian helicopters would meet the Coast Guard's military needs, the official said.

Under the fast-track acquisition process, the Coast Guard was asked by the government to purchase 12 Dornier transport aircraft for medium-range surveillance activities and the proposal has been approved already.

"The purchase of 12 dorniers for the Coast Guard has been approved and government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will supply five Dorniers by this year end," the official said, when asked about the fast-track acquisition process in the wake of the 26/11 attacks.

The 12 twin-engine helicopters to be leased were meant to augment the Dornier fleet for surveillance and reconnaissance activities.