| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| Press Release | Date: Oct. 05, 2007 Contact: George Kardulias |
COAST GUARD MODIFIED HC-130J ROLLS OUT FOR INITIAL TESTS
WASHINGTON
– The U.S. Coast Guard announced today the first of six HC-130J aircraft began
system integration testing of new mission and sensor
packages Oct. 1 in Greenville, S.C. The new equipment is designed to deliver enhanced search, detection and tracking
capabilities to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement
and homeland security missions.
While the aircraft leverages capabilities found in U.S. Air Force combat search
and rescue aircraft, it retains the HC-130J’s cargo-carrying capacity. The
upgrade includes belly-mounted 360-degree long-range search radar controlled by
two mission system operator stations located behind the pilot and copilot. The new HC-130J’s are outfitted with
multi-mode radar, electro-optical / infra-red technology and an improved
mission communications system
“We look forward to proving this unprecedented capability on the HC-130J and
then getting it to our operational commanders,” said Capt. Mike Emerson, the
Coast Guard’s chief of aviation forces.
Modification work is now underway on the first three aircraft with delivery of
the first modified HC-130J scheduled for February 2008. The sixth and final modification is
scheduled for completion in September, 2008. This project is one of several major aircraft and ship modernization
efforts now underway. The HC-130J uses
components also installed on the Coast Guard’s new medium range surveillance
maritime patrol aircraft, the HC-144A.
“Providing long-range surveillance capability to all of our maritime patrol
aircraft validates our commitment to delivering the right tools to our fleet,”
said Capt. Matt Sisson, chief of the Coast Guard’s aviation acquisition programs.
For more information on the Coast Guard’s long range search aircraft solution,
visit the Coast Guard Acquisition website at http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system/lrs.htm.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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