COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT

Sea Power,  Jan 2005  

Tags: aircraft, United States Coast Guard

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HC-130 HERCULES

BRIEFING: The HC-130H is a long-range search-and-logistics turboprop aircraft that can transport up to 86 passengers, 50,000 pounds of cargo or large quantities of rescue/survival and/or oil pollution-control equipment. The aircraft also can be used for delivery of search-and-rescue equipment, such as life rafts and dewatering pumps, as well as for dispersant for oilpollution control. The primary mission sensor is the APS-137 ISAR (inverse synthetic-aperture radar). The HC-130H also is used to support the International Ice Patrol. Aircraft used for this mission are equipped with the SLAR (side-looking airborne radar) to map ice fields in the North Atlantic. The Coast Guard currently maintains a fleet of 27 HC-130Hs; 22 are in operation at any one time, while five are undergoing maintenance or modification. The Coast Guard has acquired a roll-on/roll-off forward-looking infrared electro-optical device, an Airborne Tactical Workstation and military satellite communications capability to improve mission effectiveness of the HC-130H.

In an effort to address declining readiness and availability rates in the Coast Guard's aging HC-130H fleet, Congress provided funding in fiscal 2001 for the service to acquire six HC-130J maritime patrol aircraft. Although the basing location for the new aircraft has not yet been determined, it is likely that the HC-130Js will be located at the same air station for maintenance and training commonality. The HC-130J will provide improved mission capability for the Coast Guard through improvements in navigation, situational awareness, fuel efficiency, availability, range and endurance, as well as an increase in sensor capability. Delivery of the HC-130J aircraft began in March 2003. These aircraft are awaiting installation of mission systems.

HU-25 GUARDIAN

BRIEFING: The HU-25 is a medium-range search-and-rescue turbojet aircraft that enables Coast Guard crews to get on-scene quickly and stay airborne for up to four hours. The HU-25 is a commercial Falcon 20 modified with a drop hatch capable of delivering emergency rescue equipment, enlarged search windows, and a unique navigation and communication suite to support a variety of missions. The Coast Guard currently operates a fleet of 17 of these aircraft. Variants to the baseline HU-25A model currently in service include HU-25C aircraft equipped with the APG-66 air-to-air/surface search radar and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor to prosecute air-intercept missions and conduct nighttime surveillance. A sensor upgrade converted six HU-25As to HU-25D models, providing them with a new surface-search and target-classification radar, current-generation FLIR, a day color electro-optic device, military satellite communications and advanced tactical workstation to significantly improve command, control, communications, computers and intelligence capabilities. The same upgrades are being incorporated in the HU-25C versions.

HH-60J JAYHAWK

BRIEFING: The HH-60J Jayhawk, a variant of the Sikorsky basic Hawk series that entered service in 1991, is similar to the Navy SH-60F and HH-60H. The HH-60J is an all-weather mediumrange recovery helicopter crewed by two pilots, a flight mechanic and a rescue swimmer, and is designed to carry up to six seated survivors. It is capable of limited shipboard operations as well as land-based operations out to 300 nautical miles with a 45minute on-scene time. The HH-60J is equipped with an automatic flight-control system that allows automatic approach and coupling to a selected altitude. Cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders and the Terminal Collision Avoidance System have been added to the aircraft.

The HH-60J employs full night-vision-device capability. Primary tactical navigation is accomplished through a blended Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System receivers with Doppler backup. Sensors on the HH-60J consist of weather radar and a standalone FLIR sensor system. In addition to a rescue hoist - rated for 600 pounds - the HH-60J is equipped with a heavy-lift external sling with a capacity of 6,000 pounds.

A number of HH-60Js are dedicated to special missions: Operations Bahamas operates two 24-hour sites at Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center and Great Inagua to assist in the drug-interdiction effort. Several other HH-60J aircraft provide airborne-use-of-force support to the new security Response Team based in Chesapeake, Va. There are 35 operational HH-60Js deployed at eight stations throughout the United States with seven support aircraft in planned depot maintenance. The HH-60J fleet will undergo a service-life extension beginning in mid-2005. Additional upgrades including an avionics upgrade, and new FLIR and radar, are slated for 20062010. These improvements will extend the expected service life of the fleet out to 2020.

HH-65 DOLPHIN

BRIEFING: The HH-65 helicopter is the Coast Guard's most ubiquitous aircraft, flying approximately 50,000 flight hours annually. It is certified for operation in all-weather nighttime operations, with the exception of icing conditions. The aircraft uses a four-axis automatic pilot that can be coupled to the flight controls for hands-free operation during execution of search patterns, instrument flight plans and approaches to hover. The replacement of the Mission Computer Unit - the heart of the aircraft's fully integrated avionics package (built with 1970s technology) - is nearly complete. There are currently 96 HH-65s in service; 75 HH-65As have been modified to HH-65B versions, equipped with CDU-900G control display units and MFD-255 multifunction displays. The LTS-101 engine and fuel-control system are being replaced with Arriel 2C2 engines provided by Turbomeca in cooperation with American Eurocopter. Weight growth from additional programs and missions, such as rescue swimmers, Department of Homeland Security requirements, counterdrug and airborne use of force, are the reasons for reengining the HH-65 with a more powerful and reliable engine. Upon completion of the re-engining, the HH-65s are being designated HH-65Cs. FLIR, a heads-up display and other avionics upgrades will be installed aboard the HH-65 for law-enforcement operations. HH-65 crews have completed night vision goggle implementation, greatly enhancing nighttime search capabilities. The HH-65 is typically the only Coast Guard aircraft used aboard cutters during deployments.