USCG orders HC-144 missionisation equipment

TFab Defense Systems (TFD has received a contract from the US Coast Guard to manufacture and deliver Minotaur mission system workstation units for the HC-144B Ocean Sentry medium range surveillance aircraft, the coast guard announced on 31 August.

The units, known as PODs, will be delivered along with aircraft integration kits.

The base award of the contract is worth approximately $7.5 million, which covers production and delivery of 16 Minotaur mission system PODs and eight aircraft integration kits. The full contract calls for up to 32 Minotaur PODs and up to 16 kits for aircraft integration. It has a total value of approximately $15.4 million if all options are exercised.

The POD processes mission data and video, provides communications capabilities and controls aircraft sensors. Each HC-144 will operate with two PODs, which can be detached to accommodate mission requirements. 

The Minotaur mission system incorporates the sensors, radar, C4I and ISR equipment that allows aircrew to collect and process surveillance information for transmission to shore and surface operators. The system is being incorporated into the coast guard's fixed-wing surveillance aircraft.