US Cost Guard

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Citation :

DCNS se positionne sur les futurs cotres de l'US Coast Guard

Design présenté lors du salon MASTAmericas, en juin dernier
crédits : DCNS

13/10/2010

Le groupe naval français a décidé de se positionner sur le vaste programme de renouvellement des moyens de l'US Coast Guard. DCNS ciblerait plus particulièrement le projet Maritime Security Cutter Medium (MSCM), auparavant connu sous le nom d'Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). Afin de remplacer les cotres de moyenne autonomie du type Reliance, en service depuis les années 60, puis les unités du type Bear, construits dans les années 80, les garde-côtes américains souhaitent commander 25 nouveaux bâtiments. Long d'un peu plus de 100 mètres pour un déplacement d'environ 3700 tonnes en charge, les MSCM entreraient en service à partir de 2019.
Fin juin, à l'occasion du salon MAST Americas, qui s'est tenu à Washington DC, DCNS a présenté ses dernières innovations en matière de sécurité et de sûreté maritime, dont un design de cotre appelé justement OPC. Dérivé des frégates réalisées jusqu'ici par le groupe français, ce bâtiment se veut à la fois robuste et endurant, avec une importante autonomie. Il dispose d'une mâture unique, regroupant les différents senseurs, une plateforme et un hangar pour hélicoptère ou drones, ainsi qu'une tourelle de 57mm.
Pour DCNS, il n'est probablement pas question de vendre directement ce concept à l'US Coast Guard et d'en assurer la réalisation en France. A l'instar de ce que son concurrent italien Fincantieri a fait avec Lockheed-Martin, le groupe tricolore cherche certainement à s'allier à un industriel américain afin d'avoir ses chances dans la compétition.

Le programme Deepwater

Le projet MSCM fait partie d'un vaste programme de renouvellement des garde-côtes américains. Deux importants volets ont déjà été lancés. Le premier porte sur le remplacement des 12 grands cotres de ma classe Hamilton par 8 Maritime Security Cutter Large (MSCL). Longs de 127.4 mètres pour un déplacement de 4300 tonnes en charge, ces bâtiments peuvent franchir 12.000 nautiques à 9 noeuds. Armés d'un canon de 57mm, quatre mitrailleuses de 12.7mm et un système Phalanx, ils peuvent embarquer deux hélicoptères. Le premier de la série, le Bertholf, est entré en service en 2008 et le second (Waesche) cette année. Ces bâtiments sont construits par Northrop Grumman à Pescagoula.
L'autre programme déjà lancé est celui des Fast Response Cutters (FRC). L'US Coast Guard a retenu le type Stan Patrol 4708 du néerlandais Damen. 34 unités de 46.8 mètres et 353 tonnes ont été commandées en septembre 2008, une option étant ouverte pour 24 navires supplémentaires. Ces bâtiments (classe Sentinel), réalisés sous licence par les chantiers américains Bollinger, vont remplacer les 41 patrouilleurs du type Island. Le premier FRC, baptisé Bernard C. Webber, a été mis sur cale au printemps dernier et doit être livré en 2011.
Enfin, on notera que l'US Coast Guard modernise également ses moyens aéronautiques. Pas moins de 36 avions de surveillance maritime CN 235 Persuader d'Airbus Military (appelés HC-144 Ocean Sentry aux USA) ont, notamment, été commandés.

M&M

USCGC Stratton ( WMSL-752 )
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Citation :: Ingalls Shipbuilding Launches Fourth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the company's fourth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter (NSC), Hamilton (WMSL 753), on Saturday. "Launching a ship involves quite a bit of logistics, and our team pulled this off in a very safe and efficient manner," said Ingalls' NSC Program Manager Jim French. "It's a weeklong process to first translate the ship across land into our floating drydock and then going through an extensive ship-wide check-out process to launch. The team's performance was outstanding, and now we can focus on completing the ship and getting her to the Coast Guard next year."

NSCs are the flagship of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet, designed to replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class High-Endurance Cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. Ingalls has delivered three.

"The NSC is a proven hull, and our Coast Guard customer is pleased with the performance of the first three ships currently operating in the fleet," French said. "We continue to improve across the board in the construction of these cutters and this trend should continue."

Hamilton will be christened on Oct. 26 in Pascagoula by ship sponsor Linda Kapral Papp, wife of Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr., commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.

Keel laying for Ingalls' fifth NSC, James (WMSL 754), took place on May 17. The ship is currently 32 percent complete and will launch the spring of 2014. Ingalls has started construction on nine units for NSC 6. An advance long lead material procurement contract has also been awarded for a seventh NSC.

NSCs are 418 feet long, with a 54-foot beam, displacing 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 110.

The Legend-class NSC is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the High Endurance Cutter. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. This class of cutters plays an important role enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Citation :: Ingalls Shipbuilding Starts Construction on Sixth National Security Cutter for the U.S. Coast Guard

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division has started fabrication on the U.S. Coast Guard's sixth National Security Cutter (NSC), Munro (WMSL 755). "Our shipbuilders have a great jump start on the construction of this ship as we have already cut and processed more than 400 tons of steel for NSC 6," said Jim French, Ingalls' NSC program manager. "We are seeing improved efficiencies across the board in National Security Cutter construction as this program matures and we leverage lessons learned from one ship to the next. The benefits of serial production demonstrated in this program are a win-win for our Coast Guard customer and the shipbuilder."

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division has started fabrication on the U.S. Coast Guard's sixth National Security Cutter (NSC), Munro (WMSL 755). "Our shipbuilders have a great jump start on the construction of this ship as we have already cut and processed more than 400 tons of steel for NSC 6," said Jim French, Ingalls' NSC program manager.
Ingalls Shipbuilding has received a $487 million contract to build the sixth National Security Cutter (NSC), Munro (WMSL 755). The third NSC, Stratton (WMSL 752, pictured) was commissioned in 2012, and two more are currently under construction at Ingalls.

Ingalls is currently building three NSCs and has delivered three that are serving as the flagships of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet. An electronics light-off milestone, where the ship's electrical system is powered up for the first time, was recently achieved on Ingalls' fourth NSC, Hamilton (WMSL 753), and the ship will be christened on Oct. 26. Ingalls' fifth NSC, James (WMSL 754), has over 70 percent of its units erected and will launch in the spring of 2014. A long-lead material contract, which allows major equipment such as the main propulsion systems, generators and electrical switchboards to be ordered in advance, was awarded in June for a seventh NSC.

The Legend-class NSC is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. The NSC includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. This class of cutters plays an important role enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Citation :: FLIR Systems secures US PB-EOS contract

The SeaFLIR 280-HD maritime EO/IR (electro-optic/infrared) sensor turret from FLIR Systems Inc. Government Systems has been selected as the basis for the Patrol Boat Electro-Optics System (PB-EOS) for the US Navy and US Coast Guard. On 19 September the US Navy's Surface Warfare Center awarded the company a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract worth USD49.8 million.
The SeaFLIR 280-HD, which made its international debut at the DSEI defence and security exhibition in London on 10 September, is similar in configuration to the airborne Star SAFIRE 380-HDc variant launched at the Paris Air Show in June 2013, but is smaller (a 280 mm gimbal diameter) and lighter (weighing about 25 kg). The actual sensor gimbal is slightly wider than the rotational mount diameter. The system can accommodate up to three cameras and up to three laser payloads, plus an inertial measuring unit and GPS for geolocation and targeting. Among the display facilities provided as standard are image blending, split screen, and picture-within-picture displays.
The sensor fit is led by a mid-wave infrared (MWIR - 3-5 microns) thermal imager, using a 1,280 x 720-pixel indium antimonide focal plane array with a wide field of view and a x20 optical zoom, and a daylight colour charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, offering a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel array with equivalent optics and a x3 electronic zoom. The customer can then opt for either a 1,280 x 720-pixel low-light CMOS camera with a short-wave infrared (SWIR) filter or choice of spotter cameras (daylight CCD or SWIR CMOS) with a 982 mm focal length.
The three laser payloads comprise a diode-pumped laser rangefinder, laser illuminator, and laser pointer (the latter two configurable for near-IR or SWIR compatibility).
The primary mission of the PB-EOS will be to provide enhanced visual imagery to augment existing electronic sensors on the host vessel. According to the company, SeaFLIR 280-HD provides a 24-hour detection capability for small boat threats out to around 16 km. Applications include low visibility and night navigation; maritime interception; coastal observation and surveillance; combat search-and-rescue; real-time situational awareness and threat warning; and documenting of navigational hazards.
Speaking to IHS Jane's at DSEI, a company spokesman noted that in addition to one prototype system already with the US government, another two are in the hands of international potential customers. The company expects to produce a further six units ahead of full-rate production at the company's Billerica, Massachusetts, facility. A variant configured for land vehicles, designated TacFLIR 280-HD, is also available.

http://www.janes.com/article/27635/flir-systems-secures-us-pb-eos-contract

Bonne idée

Citation :: Air Force to transfer aircraft to Coast Guard

U.S. policymakers have agreed to transfer 14 new C-27J transport aircraft from the Air Force to the Coast Guard, a key lawmaker announced Dec. 11.

The Air Force has determined it no longer needs the planes, and the Coast Guard would like to use them as medium-range surveillance aircraft. The transfer is expected to save the budget-constrained Coast Guard about $600 million by allowing it to stop buying more HC-144A maritime patrol aircraft, said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who chairs the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Coast Guard panel.

The Coast Guard had planned to buy 36 HC-144As but will now stop at the 18 that are already under contract, said Vice Adm. John Currier, the Coast Guard’s vice commandant, who testified before Hunter’s panel.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is in the midst of a broad effort to replace aging aircraft, ships and other equipment. But members of Congress have cautioned that the service does not have enough money to buy everything it would like to have.

http://www.examiner.com

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Citation :: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star to assist vessels in Antarctica

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star is responding to a Jan. 3rd request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, AMSA, to assist the Russian-Flagged Akademik Shokalskiy and Chinese-Flagged Xue Long that are reportedly ice-bound in the Antarctic. The Russian and Chinese governments have also requested assistance from the United States. Coast Guard Pacific Area Command Center received the request Thursday evening from AMSA after they evaluated the situation and determined there is sufficient concern that the vessels may not be able to free themselves from the ice. AMSA has been coordinating rescue operations since the Akademik Shokalskiy became beset with ice on Dec. 24. The Polar Star will cut short its planned stop in Sydney to support the AMSA’s request for assistance. “The U.S. Coast Guard stands ready to respond to Australia’s request,” said Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area. “Our highest priority is safety of life at sea, which is why we are assisting in breaking a navigational path for both of these vessels. We are pleased to learn the passengers of the Akademik Shokalskiy have been transported safely off the vessel. We are always ready and duty bound to render assistance in one of the most remote and harsh environments on the face of the globe.” The Polar Star is the U.S. Coast Guard’s only active heavy polar icebreaker. The ship is 399 feet in length, its maximum speed is 18 knots and it is able to continuously break six feet of ice at three knots and 21 feet of ice backing and ramming. U.S. Coast Guard photo. The Polar Star left its homeport of Seattle in early December on one of its primary missions, Operation Deep Freeze. The ship’s mission is to break a channel through the sea ice of McMurdo Sound to resupply and refuel the U.S. Antarctic Program’s McMurdo Station on Ross Island. The National Science Foundation manages the U.S. Antarctic Program, which coordinates all science research and related logistics in Antarctica and on the Southern Ocean; McMurdo Station is the logistics hub for The National Science Foundation’s research. The Polar Star will continue on this mission after conclusion of the vessel assistance mission. This is the first time since 2006 that the Polar Star has made this journey. It has recently completed a three-year, $90 million overhaul, which will allow it to continue these important missions into the foreseeable future. For more than 50 years, Coast Guard icebreaker crews have deployed to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze. They will again assist by creating a navigable shipping lane through the layers of sea ice in McMurdo Sound permitting delivery of critical fuel and supplies needed to operate the U.S. McMurdo and South Pole stations throughout the coming year. The Polar Star is the U.S. Coast Guard’s only active heavy polar ice breaker. The ship is 399 feet in length, its maximum speed is 18 knots, it is able to continuously break six feet of ice at three knots, and able to break 21 feet of ice backing and ramming. The Polar Star is specifically designed for open-water icebreaking with a reinforced hull and special icebreaking bow.

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/01/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-polar-star-to-assist-vessels-in-antarctica/

Citation :: Coast Guard to take delivery of last Air Force C-27Js

The Coast Guard will take control of the last of the Air Force’s C-27J cargo planes, putting an end of a years-long saga over finding a long-term home for the twin-engine aircraft.

The planes will be transferred to the Coast Guard within six to 12 months, with the goal of filling “medium range surveillance USCG missions such as maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue,” according to a press release from Italian contractor Alenia Aermacchi, which built the planes.

The C-27J is a tactical transport designed for use on small, rough airfields. The Air Force initially planned on fielding 38 planes before deciding they were too expensive to operate. That decision set off a firestorm of controversy in Congress, where members were eager to make sure local Air National Guard units received the platforms.

The Air Force purchased 21 planes. In November, the service transferred seven to US Special Operations Command. The US Forest Service had also submitted a request for the planes.

Congress has made sure the Forest Service won’t lose out entirely. Under the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act passed last month, the transfer of the C-27Js is dependent upon the completion of the Coast Guard’s transfer of seven C-130s to the Air Force, which will then be required to shoulder the cost of modifying the four-engine planes into firefighting aircraft for the Forest Service.

The budget also requires the secretary of the Air Force to “provide the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, not later than January 30, 2014, a quarterly report or briefing on the cost, schedule, and execution of notable events related to the aircraft transfers and modifications required within the provision.”

http://www.navytimes.com

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Citation :: Coast Guard Accepts New HC-144A Aircraft

BY JOHN C. MARCARIO, Associate Editor

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Coast Guard’s aviation fleet received another boost Jan. 16 with the delivery of an HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft. It will be based out of Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, later this year, according to the service.

To date, the service has received 16 of the aircraft from the Airbus Military production facility in Seville, Spain. The other aircraft are operating at Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Mass., Mobile, Ala., and Miami.

When the Coast Guard began its recapitalization program more than a decade ago, the plan was to build 36 of the planes. That number now is in doubt.

In December, President Barack Obama signed off on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2014, which called for the service to get 14 of the Air Force’s C-27J Spartan medium-sized military transport aircraft.

The Coast Guard plans to stand-up an Asset Project Office to begin to transition the C-27Js into operational service and determine their full capabilities. A service official told Seapower they will examine the capabilities of the aircraft during that testing to determine how many maritime patrol aircraft the service needs.

This was a welcome boost for the Coast Guard, which, due to fiscal belt tightening, had not requested funding for new aircraft in their acquisition, construction and improvements budget since fiscal 2012.

Over the last few years the service has, instead, spent a vast majority of its acquisition budget, which had dropped to under a billion dollars in the fiscal 2014 request, on improving its aging cutter fleet. That meant programs such as the National Security Cutter, Fast Response Cutter and Response Boat-Medium took precedent over improving an aviation fleet that was not as old as the cutter fleet.

http://www.seapowermagazine.org

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HC-144A pour les US Coast Guard

US Cost Guard - Page 2 CN-235-uscg-750x400

Citation :: Exelis receives $32 million award to supply airborne surveillance radars to US Coast Guard

AMITYVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 22, 2014 – Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has received a $32 million, five-year IDIQ (indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity) award to supply airborne surveillance radars, spares, support equipment and technical services to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Integrated on the U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft, the AN/APY-11 multimode radar is designed to support the service’s maritime reconnaissance mission, which includes long-range surveillance, search and rescue, drug interdiction, counterterrorism and maritime environmental support. The radar’s multifunctionality will augment the U.S. Coast Guard’s situational awareness and ability to conduct missions successfully.

For Exelis, the award further strengthens the company’s position in the growing field of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and analytics amid evolving operational requirements and increasing global demand for adaptable, cost-effective solutions.

“This latest award is indicative of the value and versatility our radar offers the customer,” said Pete Martin, director of programs, defense systems, for the Exelis electronic attack & release systems business. “As the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission continues to evolve, our radar will enhance the reach and effectiveness of the HC-130J and its crews to protect our shores.”

First provided to the U.S. Coast Guard under a 2005 contract award, the AN/APY-11 multimode radar is produced by Exelis and partner ELTA Systems Ltd. This is the second contract given recently to Exelis to supply the AN/APY-11 radar to the U.S. Coast Guard. The first for $6.5 million was awarded to the company in October 2012.

http://www.exelisinc.com

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Citation :: DCNS écarté d’un appel d’offres de l’US Coast Guard

Plusieurs groupes européens de construction navale ont passé ces dernières années des accords avec des industriels américains afin de pouvoir participer à l’appel d’offres lancé par l’US Coast Guard visant à acquérir 25 OPC (Ocean Patrol Cutter), destinés à remplacer 28 patrouilleurs de type MEC (Medium Endurance Cutter).
Côté américain, ces partenariats permettent de bénéficier de l’expertise des chantiers navals européens en matière de construction de navires selon des normes civiles. Il s’agit également d’être en mesure de proposer des bateaux économiques.
Ainsi, DCNS s’était allié avec l’entreprise américaine VT Halter Marine, filiale de VT Systems. Selon les termes de l’accord, le groupe français aurait eu le statut de sous-traitant, avec pour tâche de mettre au point le design des patrouilleurs proposés aux garde-côtes d’Outre-Atlantique. L’idée était alors de proposer un modèle dérivé dérivé de la gamme de corvettes du type Gowind.
Seulement, le 11 février dernier, le verdict est tombé. Trois offres ont été retenues dans un premier temps, à savoir celles déposées par General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, associé à L-3 Communications et à l’espagnol Navantia (qui réalise ainsi un joli coup stratégique), Bollinger Shipyards, allié au néerlandais Damen, et Eastern Shipbuilding Group, avec STX Marine et Northrop Grumman pour partenaires.
Le couple VT Halter Marine/DCNS est donc passé à la trappe, de même que FMG, filiale américaine de l’italien Fincantieri, qui proposait une version du patrouilleur hauturier de la classe Comandanti (ou Cigala Fulgosi) et le tandem formé par le norvégien Ulstein et Vigor Industrial.
Les groupes retenus recevront chacun une enveloppe de 22 millions de dollars pour continuer leurs travaux et affiner leurs offres. Le marché, évalué, au total, à 10 milliards de dollars, devrait être attribué en 2016. Les futurs patrouilleurs de l’USCG devront mesurer 100 mètres pour un déplacement de 4.000 tonnes. Leur armement sera notamment constitué d’une tourelle de 57mm. Ils auront aussi la capacité d’embarquer un hélicoptère.

http://www.opex360.com/2014/02/16/dcns-ecarte-dun-appel-doffres-de-lus-coast-guard/

Citation :: Crash d’un Dolphin des gardes-côtes américains, deux blessés

Ce dimanche 2 mars 2014 un hélicoptère de sauvetage Eurocopter MH-65C appartenant à l’US Coast Guard a été victime d’un crash dans l’état du Wisconsin. Le Dolphin s’est écrasé lors d’un vol d’entraînement. Deux des trois membres d’équipage ont été légèrement blessés. D’après les enquêteurs de l’USCG et du NTSB, l’administration fédérale américaine des transports, l’hélicoptère pourra être réparé.
En effet le pilote a réussi à sauver aussi bien son équipage que son appareil en l’amenant sur une épaisse couche de neige. L’appareil provenait de la base de Traverse City dans l’état du Michigan. Spécialisée dans les opérations de sauvetages et de contrôles sur les Grands Lacs cette unité procédait à une mission d’acclimatation aux vols en conditions hivernales. Les premières causes de l’accident ne sont pas connus.

Le plongeur-secouriste a donc été légèrement commotionnés lors du crash, tandis que le copilote souffre d’une légère hypothermie. Il faut dire qu’au moment de l’accident la température extérieure avoisinait les -10°C. Le pilote quand à lui a réussi à s’extraire de l’appareil pour aller à la rencontre des équipes de secours. L’US Coast Guard a dépêché sur place un second hélicoptère pour évacuer le blessé, l’appareil a du se poser sur un lac gelé pour l’occasion. De son côté le copilote était pris en charge par une équipe paramédicale locale et orienté vers l’hôpital le plus proche.
Les accidents de MH-65 Dolphin sont assez rares aux États-Unis où l’appareil jouit d’une excellente réputation tant auprès des personnels de l’USCG que du grand public. En service depuis une petite trentaine d’années cet appareil est une version fortement américanisée du SA-365 Dauphin II français.

http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2014/03/actu/crash-dun-dolphin-des-gardes-cotes-americains-deux-blesses/

Citation :: Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $497 Million Contract for 7th U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $497 million fixed-price, incentive-fee contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build a seventh Legend-class National Security Cutter (WMSL 756).

"We have a hot production line with this class of ships, and we continue to get better—a tangible result demonstrating the value of serial production," said Ingalls NSC Program Manager Jim French. "Each ship is built more effectively and more affordably than the one before it, and this is due to the hard work of our shipbuilders who are implementing efficient build plans and bringing our learning curve down as each ship is delivered. We look forward to starting construction on this ship in January 2015."

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $497 million fixed-price, incentive-fee contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build a seventh Legend-class National Security Cutter (WMSL 756).
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $497 million fixed-price, incentive-fee contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build a seventh Legend-class National Security Cutter (WMSL 756).

Ingalls has delivered the first three NSCs and has three more under construction. Hamilton (WMSL 753) is 81 percent complete and will deliver in the third quarter of 2014; James (WMSL 754) is 52 percent complete and will launch in April, and the sixth NSC (WMSL 755) began construction late last year and is scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2015. The seventh ship, WMSL 756, is scheduled for delivery in 2018.

Legend-class NSCs are the flagships of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet. Designed to replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters that entered service during the 1960s, they are 418 feet long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 110.

NSCs are capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. They include an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. The Legend class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. NSCs play an important role enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Citation :: Airbus Defense and Space Inc. Delivers 17th HC-144A Aircraft to US Coast Guard

HC-144A Ocean Sentry Continues as the Coast Guard’s Primary Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. has delivered the 17th HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Ocean Sentry is based on the Airbus CN235 tactical airlifter with more than 235 currently in operation by 29 countries. This is the second of three HC-144A’s planned for delivery this year.

The latest aircraft will join a fleet of 16 Ocean Sentries operating from Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Mass.; Mobile, Ala.; and Miami. The Coast Guard is planning to stand up the fourth HC-144A air station in Corpus Christi, Texas, later this year.

Airbus Defense and Space is committed to supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-144A fleet. Over time, the aircraft has proven to be a cost effective and operationally indispensable maritime patrol asset. The Coast Guard competitively selected and is buying the HC-144A because it has proven to perform the broad range of demanding maritime patrol missions effectively and efficiently, including search and rescue, homeland security and disaster response.

The Department of Homeland Security recently recognized the Coast Guard’s HC-144A program as its 2013 DHS Project of the Year. Airbus Defense and Space has worked to deliver the Coast Guard this capability consistently on schedule and on cost. The HC-144A achieved initial operational capability with the Coast Guard in 2008.

http://www.airbus-group.com

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Citation :: Lockheed Martin Awarded Additional C4ISR Contract to Support the U.S. Coast Guard

Lockheed Martin received a $69 million contract to support the United States Coast Guard’s efforts to enforce maritime sovereignty and address at-sea threats. Through this contract received from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Lockheed Martin will provide the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the United States Coast Guard’s seventh National Security Cutter (NSC), the future USCGC Kimball.

Lockheed Martin received a $69 million contract to support the United States Coast Guard’s efforts to enforce maritime sovereignty and address at-sea threats. Through this contract received from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Lockheed Martin will provide the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the United States Coast Guard’s seventh National Security Cutter (NSC), the future USCGC Kimball.
Lockheed Martin received a $69 million contract from Huntington Ingalls to provide the C4ISR system for the NSC 7. Lockheed Martin has developed the C4ISR systems for all six of the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutters, including the USCGC Stratton shown above.

(Photo courtesy Huntington Ingalls Industries)

Lockheed Martin’s C4ISR system offers comprehensive, real-time situational awareness, commonality and interoperability, which enables a greater collection and sharing of maritime data. It allows the crew to see vessels in distress or targets of interest; collaborate with other Coast Guard air, sea and land assets; and act on the most current information available.

“The NSC’s C4ISR system is critical to ensuring the USCG can support the nation’s maritime strategy,” said Joe Buss, program director of Lockheed Martin’s Coast Guard and Mission Control Systems. “Our brave men and women of the Coast Guard rely on the accuracy and timeliness of the data our system provides to achieve their many missions and maritime operations.”

Lockheed Martin has a rich legacy in supporting the Coast Guard, and has provided the C4ISR systems to all six of the NSCs. The NSC is the largest and most technologically advanced multi-mission cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, with capabilities to support the service's homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Citation :: Alenia Aermacchi to train Coast Guard on C-27J aircraft

U.S. Coast Guard personnel are to receive flight training on C-27J Spartan aircraft procured from Alenia Aermacchi.

WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) --Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi is to train U.S. Coast Guard personnel on flying newly acquired C-27J Spartan medium-sized transport aircraft.

The training services will be for the initial flight crews -- pilots and loadmaster -- and will consist of in-class sessions, flight simulation instruction, and in-flight training.

'Alenia Aermacchi is proud to have the opportunity to provide the United States Coast Guard with outstanding training services that will help service men and women effectively perform their missions on the C-27J," the company said. "The company is committed to providing a best value aircraft and respective sustainment services that will improve response capability and operational effectiveness for the USCG."

The Coast Guard acquired 14 C-27Js for missions such as maritime patrol, drug and migrant interdiction, disaster response, and search and rescue.

Alenia Aermacchi describes the aircraft as having the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class and as having the ability to perform fighter aircraft-like 3.0g force maneuvers for fast, tight turns and ascent and descending.

Ten countries in addition to the United States have ordered the aircraft.

Details on the value of the contract and the time period of performance were not disclosed.

http://www.upi.com

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Citation :: Airbus HC-144A Ocean Sentry Aircraft fleet surpasses 50,000 flight hours with US Coast Guard

27/6/2014

The U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of seventeen Airbus HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft has completed its first 50,000 hours of flight five years after the start of initial operational capability.

The demonstrated maintainability of the HC-144A aircraft allows the Coast Guard to fly more hours per airframe in a year with the Ocean Sentry than any other aircraft in its fleet.

“The combination of low operating costs and ease of maintenance will continue to enable the HC-144A to achieve exceptionally high flying hours,” said Allan McArtor Airbus Group Inc. Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to supporting it in service for many years to come.”

The fleet delivered by Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. has successfully undertaken a wide variety of maritime patrol missions from bases at Cape Cod, Mass., Mobile, Ala., and Miami. The Coast Guard will take delivery of the 18th aircraft this year and is planning to base three aircraft at the fourth HC-144A air station in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The HC-144A Ocean Sentry is based on the proven Airbus CN235 tactical airlifter and maritime patrol aircraft built by Airbus Defense and Space, of which more than 235 are currently in operation by 29 countries. The HC-144A was selected by the US Department of Homeland Security as its 2013 DHS Project of the Year, recognizing the program’s record of on-time and on-budget achievement.

In its first 50,000 hours in operation the HC-144A has reliably performed a broad range of missions including search and rescue, homeland security, disaster response and national defense, and it has been a key tool for the Coast Guard at critical moments including the Haiti earthquake, Deepwater Horizon disaster and Hurricane Sandy.

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/PressCenter/LatestNews/TabId/176/ArtMID/681/ArticleID/323/Airbus-HC-144A-Ocean-Sentry-Aircraft-fleet-surpasses-50000-flight-hours-with-US-Coast-Guard.aspx

Citation :: Un F-15C de l’Air National Guard s’écrase en Virginie

http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2014/08/actu/un-f-15c-de-lair-national-guard-secrase-en-virginie/

Citation :: L’USCG baptise son cinquième cotre de la classe Legend

Le cotre Hamilton, quatrième unité de la classe Legend, livrée cette année à l'USCG crédits : HII

Le James, cinquième cotre de nouvelle génération des garde-côtes américains, a été baptisé le 16 août au chantier Huntington Ingalls Industries de Pascagoula. Prévu pour entrer en service l’an prochain, le bâtiment rejoindra au sein de l’US Coast Guard ses quatre aînés, les Bertholf, Waesche, Stratton et Hamilton, livrés entre 2008 et 2014.

Longs de 127.4 mètres pour un déplacement de 4500 tonnes en charge, ces bâtiments peuvent franchir 12.000 nautiques à 9 nœuds, soit 60 jours d’opérations. Armés d'un canon de 57mm, quatre mitrailleuses de 12.7mm et un système Phalanx, ils peuvent embarquer deux hélicoptères.
En tout, l’USCG prévoit de se doter de huit bâtiments de ce type pour remplacer les anciens cotres du type Hamilton.

M&M

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Citation :: Ingalls Shipbuilding Delivers National Security Cutter Hamilton to U.S. Coast Guard

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered the National Security Cutter Hamilton (WMSL 753) to the U.S. Coast Guard today. The ship will be commissioned in Charleston, S.C., on Dec. 6. "Our performance on the National Security Cutter program is a blueprint for success in building high-quality, affordable ships," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

"We've significantly improved our learning, efficiency and affordability with each successive ship in the Legend class, and this one, our fourth, is the best yet. The benefits of serial ship production are clear, and with our hot production line we expect for this to continue. Congratulations to the shipbuilders and to Capt. Douglas Fears and the crew of Hamilton."

Ingalls Shipbuilding Delivers National Security Cutter Hamilton to U.S. Coast Guard One month ago, Ingalls' test and trials team successfully completed acceptance trials on the ship by conducting extensive testing of the propulsion, anchor handling, steering and combat systems for the Board of Inspection and Survey. Today, the Coast Guard crew of Hamilton officially takes possession of the ship.

"I'd like to thank Huntington Ingalls Industries and the craftsmen here at Ingalls for building a fantastic ship," said Rear Adm. Bruce D. Baffer, the Coast Guard's assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer. "I agree that this is the best National Security Cutter yet. It is an awesome ship, and it's going to serve us for decades to come."

Ingalls has delivered three NSCs, and three more are currently under construction. A seventh NSC, Kimball (WMSL 756), is scheduled to begin construction in early 2015. Hamilton will sail away from Ingalls on Nov. 1 en route to Charleston.

"After three years of fabrication and expert craftsmanship, Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered a great ship to the Coast Guard," said Capt. Douglas Fears, prospective commanding officer of Hamilton. "The Coast Guard's Project Resident Office has fastidiously overseen the production of Hamilton through all key acquisition milestones. Finally, Hamilton's crew has prepared over six months for this day, and we are both honored and humbled to be entrusted with the task of bringing this great ship to life and readying her for decades of service to our nation."

Legend-class NSCs are the flagships of the Coast Guard's cutter fleet. Designed to replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class High-Endurance Cutters that entered service during the 1960s, they are 418 feet long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.

NSCs are capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the High-Endurance Cutter. They include an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary-wing aircraft. The Legend class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. NSCs play an important role enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

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Citation :: Les garde-côtes américains ont retiré du service leurs derniers avions Dassault HU-25 « Guardian »

Posté dans Amériques, Forces aériennes, Forces navales par Laurent Lagneau Le 27-09-2014

Composante des forces armées américaines, l’US Coast Guard (USCG) assure des missions relevant de l’action de l’État en mer sous la direction du département américain de la Sécurité intérieure. En temps de guerre, cette unité est susceptible de passer sous le commandement de l’US Navy.

Pour ses missions, l’USCG dispose bien évidemment de moyens aériens pour la surveillance maritime et les opérations de sauvetage. Dans les années 1970, trois avionneurs – Cessna, Rockwell et Dassault – répondirent à un appel d’offres visant à remplacer ses vieux Grumman HU-16 Albatross.

Parmi les propositions reçues, deux sortirent du lot : le Mystère XX de Dassault et le Sabreliner de Rockwell. Étant donné que le second était déjà en service au sein de l’US Navy, tout laisser supposer qu’il allait être retenu par l’USCG. Erreur! En 1979, l’appareil français fut sélectionné sous la dénomination HU-25 « Guardian ».

Selon les termes du contrat portant sur une quarantaine d’appareils conclu entre Paris et Washington, les futurs HU-25 Guardian devaient être assemblés aux États-Unis. Ce qui fut fait par l’entreprise Falcon Jet Corp, filiale américaine de Dassault Aviation implantée à Little Rock (Arkansas). Les premiers avions entrèrent en service à partir de février 1982. Tous furent livrés en décembre 1983.

Au fil du temps, les HU-25 « Guardian » ont été progressivement modernisés avec l’intégration de nouveaux capteurs (radar à visée latérale, radar doppler APG-66, radar à ouverture synthétique, etc…). Et, pendant 32 ans, ils ont assuré des missions de recherche de sauvetage, de lutte contre les trafics et de protection de l’environnement. Ils ont même été engagés en 1991 au Koweït, alors que les puits de pétrole de l’émirat avaient été incendiés par les forces irakiennes lors de leur retrait.

La vitesse du HU-25 « Guardian » aura été un élément déterminant : quand il s’agit de porter secours, il n’y a en effet pas de temps à perdre : chaque minute gagnée peut sauver des vies. En outre, cet appareil a fait l’unanimité auprès de ceux qui ont eu à le piloter.

Il faut désormais en parler au passé car le dernier exemplaire a été retiré du service le 23 septembre dernier, sur la base de Corpus Christi, au Texas. Les 41 HU-25 « Guardian » sont remplacés par des HC-144A « Ocean Sentry », dérivés du CN-235 d’Airbus Defense & Space, ainsi que par 14 HC-27 Spartans (version modifiée du C-27 d’Alenia), c’est à dire par des appareils à hélices (turbopropulseurs).

Ces derniers sont bien évidemment moins rapides que les Guardian mais ils ont une capacité d’emport nettement plus élevée et peuvent rester plus longtemps sur une zone de recherche. Cela étant, le retrait des avions de Dassault marque la fin d’une époque au sein de l’USCG, qui ne dispose plus de « jets », hormis 2 Gulfstream 5s/VC-37s et 1 Challenger 604/VC-143.

En France, la Marine nationale utilise encore des dérivés du Mystère/Falcon 20, avec le Falcon 200 Gardian (conçu sur la base du HU-25). Ces appareils sont mis en oeuvre par la Flottille 25F et ne sont utilisés qu’outre-Mer. Un autre est (ou était?) en service à l’École du personnal navigant d’essai et de réception (EPNER) de la Direction générale de l’armement (DGA).

http://www.opex360.com/2014/09/27/les-garde-cotes-americains-ont-retire-du-service-leurs-derniers-avions-dassault-hu-25-guardian/

Citation :: Airbus Defense and Space delivers 18th HC-144A aircraft to US Coast Guard

7/10/2014

Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. has delivered the 18th HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Ocean Sentry is based on the Airbus CN235 tactical airlifter with more than 235 currently in operation by 29 countries.

The latest HC-144A will join a fleet of Ocean Sentries operating from Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Mass.; Mobile, Ala.; Miami and most recently Corpus Christi, Texas. This month Air Station Corpus Christi turned over the maritime patrol mission to the HC-144 after the retirement of the last HU-25 Guardian aircraft.

“Airbus Defense and Space is dedicated to supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-144A fleet and will provide technical engineering services and spare parts for decades to come,” said Mike Cosentino president of Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. “The ease of maintenance and low operating costs have allowed the Coast Guard to achieve exceptional operational effectiveness and reliability with the HC-144A.”

The Coast Guard competitively selected and acquired the HC-144A. The aircraft is effective and efficient in a broad range of demanding maritime patrol missions, including search and rescue, homeland security and disaster response.

The Department of Homeland Security recognized the Coast Guard’s HC-144A program as its 2013 DHS Project of the Year. Airbus Defense and Space has worked to deliver to the Coast Guard this capability consistently on or ahead of schedule and on cost. The HC-144A achieved initial operational capability with the Coast Guard in 2008.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Ocean Sentry fleet recently completed its first 50,000 hours of flight. The demonstrated maintainability of the HC-144A aircraft allows the Coast Guard to fly more hours per airframe in a year with the Ocean Sentry than any other aircraft in its fleet.

About Airbus Defense and Space, Inc

Airbus Defense and Space, Inc., headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including military aircraft, cybersecurity systems, public safety communications, space systems, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems. Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. is a division of Airbus Group, Inc., the U.S.-based operation of Airbus Group, a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defense enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.

http://militaryaircraft-airbusds.com/PressCenter/LatestNews/TabId/176/ArtMID/681/ArticleID/341/Airbus-Defense-and-Space-delivers-18th-HC-144A-aircraft-to-US-Coast-Guard.aspx

Citation :: Coast Guard Receives First C-27J for Modification

By RICHARD R. BURGESS, Managing Editor

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Coast Guard has taken delivery of its first C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, which will go through modification to a maritime patrol/transport aircraft for the service.

The Coast Guard is acquiring 14 C-27Js from the Air Force, which retired the aircraft as a cost-cutting move. In acquiring the Spartans, the Coast Guard is able to truncate acquisition of the Airbus-built HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft at 18 aircraft, the last of which recently has been delivered, at half of the planned procurement of 36.

The twin-turboprop C-27J has been delivered to the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center at Elizabeth City, N.C., where it will go through modification with mission systems to become an HC-27A.

U.S. Special Operations command will receive the remaining seven of the 21 Alenia-built C-27Js on strength. The C-27Js are relatively new aircraft, with the first delivery to the Air Force taking place in September 2008.

As part of the deal with the Air Force, the Coast Guard will give up seven of its 23 HC-130H Hercules aircraft, which will be converted for fighting forest fires.

http://www.seapowermagazine.org

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Citation :: MQ-8B Fire Scout Flies off Coast Guard Ship for First Time

Ajoutée le 17 déc. 2014
Coast Guard Research and Development Center scientists assessed the unmanned aircraft system, MQ-8B Fire Scout,
from the national security Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750), during a two-week demonstration that
started on Dec. 4, 2014. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Clayton)
Video: Northrop Grumman

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