CASA CN-235: HC-144A Ocean Sentry, the new US Coast Guard Maritime Patrol Aircraft

MIAMI -- CASA CN-235 is a Spanish aircraft and today part of EADS. 
The US Coast code is HC-144A Ocean Sentry. This fixed-wing aircraft arrive at the aircraft's new home at Coast Guard Air Station Miami March 10, 2010. This is the first of four Ocean Sentry aircraft that will be stationed in Miami. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

CASA CN-235: HC-144A Ocean SentryMedium Range Surveillance Aircraft

The US Coast Guard will use the HC-144As to perform homeland security and search and rescue missions, enforce laws and treaties including illegal drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, military readiness, and international ice patrol missions, as well as cargo and personnel transport. The size, range and reconfiguration capabilities will fully enable the execution of the multiple missions performed by the Coast Guard.

The HC-144A can remain airborne in excess of nine hours versus four hours maximum for the HU-25 Falcon. Greater endurance allows the aircrew to remain on-scene longer, collect more information, support other assets, and track targets for longer periods of time.

 

Features

- Equipped with a state of the market Rockwell

-Collins Flight 2 glass cockpit instrument panel, autopilot & avionics suite for a two-person aircrew 

- Mission equipment pallet –interoperable with that of the HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft and includes: 

• C4ISR equipment for enhanced situational awareness;
• improved surveillance through radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors systems;
• mission data recording; a first-responder/law enforcement and marine communications suite;
• enhanced secure data encryption capabilities. 

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  See: http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/mrs/