US Coast Guard HC-144A deliveries remain on-track
A new HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft has been delivered by Airbus Defense and Space (D&S) to the US Coast Guard, bringing the fleet total to 17 HC-144A aircraft.
This is the second of three HC-144As planned for delivery in 2014. The aircraft will join the fleet operating from Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; and Miami, Florida; where it will perform a range of maritime patrol missions, including search and rescue, homeland security and disaster response.
Ocean Sentry is based on the Airbus D&S CN235 tactical airlifter. The aircraft are supplied to the coast guard equipped with a search radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, an Automatic Identification System for data collection from vessels at sea, and a communications suite.
The Coast Guard is planning to stand up the fourth HC-144A air station in Corpus Christi, Texas, later this year. In total up to 36 of these maritime patrol aircraft will be acquired by the US Coast Guard.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
With ongoing market research to find potential shipyards for building LCUs, NAVSEA intends to issue a request for proposals for the programme next year.
-
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.