May 16, 2017 —
An HC-144 from Air Station Cape Cod stands by on the tarmac at the Groton-New London Airport in Connecticut on Oct. 18, 2016. The electro-optical infrared sensors that the Coast Guard ordered on April 25 are an upgraded version of the sensors currently installed on the HC-144s in the fleet. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll.
The Coast Guard on April 25 awarded an order, worth approximately $6 million, on a General Services Administration contract to FLIR Systems Inc. of Wilsonville, Oregon, to procure eight Star Safire 380HD electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors for its HC-144 Ocean Sentry medium range surveillance aircraft.
The new, high-definition EO/IR sensors will improve the aircraft’s detection and identification capabilities. The units are compatible with Minotaur mission system architecture and will increase commonality among the Coast Guard’s fixed wing platforms, which also include the C-27J Spartan medium range surveillance aircraft and HC-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft.
The first unit for the HC-144 acquisition was delivered in April, with delivery of the remaining units on the order planned by the end of the year.
For more information: Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft program page