July 6, 2022 —
The latest addition to the Coast Guard aviation fleet, CG-102, during acceptance testing near Brunswick, Georgia. Photo courtesy of Gulfstream.
The Coast Guard took delivery of a new C-37B long range command and control aircraft (LRCCA) from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation on June 29. The state-of-the-art, high-performance aircraft, designated CG-102, flew to its new home at Coast Guard Air Station Washington, D.C., where it was immediately put into service flying global missions in support of Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard executive leadership.
The aircraft’s overall mission is to operate as a command and control platform anywhere in the world for the secretary of Homeland Security, the commandant of the Coast Guard, and other top DHS leadership. The LRCCA is equipped with a broad range of commercial and military communications systems, providing secure voice and data capabilities as well as the capability to perform routine administrative duties in-flight worldwide.
The C-37B is a well-established Department of Defense derivative of the Gulfstream G550 aircraft with 18 currently in service. The Coast Guard Office of Aviation Acquisition partnered with Gulfstream engineers, DHS communications specialists, the Air Force and Coast Guard Air Station Washington to successfully complete production. CG-102 is expected to have a service life of at least 30 years.
With the new C-37B replacing a leased G550 variant, the Coast Guard now owns its entire LRCCA fleet. This allows the Coast Guard to better leverage existing logistics support systems and develop long-term capability for the mission through a standard fleet. The Coast Guard has owned its other LRCCA, a Gulfstream V aircraft with military designation C-37A, since 2002.
The delivery order for the aircraft was issued in October 2020.
For more information: C-37B Long Range Command and Control Aircraft Program page