EADS Receives Order For Five HC-144A U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Arlington, VA - EADS CASA, an operating entity of EADS, has received an order from Lockheed Martin for five more U.S. Coast Guard HC-144A aircraft, bringing total orders to eight aircraft as part of the service's aviation modernization program.

Coast Guard planning calls for the acquisition of up to 36 HC-144As, which are mission-tailored versions of EADS CASA's popular CN-235 military transport. These multi-mission aircraft will be used for homeland security missions, search and rescue operations, law enforcement missions – including fisheries, counter narcotics, pollution response, cargo and personnel transport.

The HC-144A was selected because of the CN-235's excellent performance, operational effectiveness and low cost of ownership. Its mission flexibility is further enhanced by the rear cargo ramp that is standard on EADS CASA's family of CN-235/C-295 military airlifters. The larger C-295 military aircraft is being offered by an industry team led by Raytheon and EADS CASA North America to meet the requirements of the U.S. Army/Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft program.

"This latest order for Coast Guard HC-144As further demonstrates our ability to provide highly capable fixed and rotary wing aircraft that meet a range of customer requirements, including homeland security, law enforcement and operations with the U.S. Army," said Ralph D. Crosby Jr., EADS North America Chairman & CEO. "We look forward to the HC-144's entry into active service and are committed to providing the full resources of EADS to support these aircraft over the long term."

EADS CASA previously delivered two of the three HC-144As acquired by the Coast Guard in its initial order. These aircraft currently are undergoing final mission system integration at the Coast Guard's Aviation Repair & Supply Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Another major component in the Coast Guard's aviation modernization is the re-engining of its EADS HH-65 Dolphin helicopter fleet, which significantly improves the performance of these highly capable rotary-wing aircraft. The effort involves EADS North America's American Eurocopter business unit – which has delivered Dolphin re-engining kits to the Coast Guard, and is completing its assigned upgrade of 11 HH-65s at the company's Columbus, Mississippi facility. Other HH-65s are undergoing the conversion process at the Coast Guard's Aviation Repair & Supply Center.

The entire Coast Guard fleet of 95 HH-65s is being converted to the upgraded configuration, with the program to be completed ahead of schedule this summer. To date, 80 HH-65As and HH-65Bs have undergone the re-engining process, and all Coast Guard air stations with HH-65 helicopters are now flying the HH-65C model with upgraded engines.

SOURCE: EADS North America