US Coast Guard receives 15th HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft

EADS North America has delivered 15th HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft, on-time and on-budget, to the US Coast Guard (USCG).

The delivery forms part of previously awarded contract in August 2010 to EADS for the supply of HC-144A aircraft to replace its aging fleet of Dassault-built HU-25 Guardian aircraft fleet.

EADS North America chairman and CEO Sean O’Keefe said: "EADS North America and Airbus Military are proud to be working with the USCG to field this capability consistently on schedule and on cost, and will continue to support this mission."

The 15th Ocean Sentry will join the other Ocean Sentries, which are currently in service with the Coast Guard, to perform range of different roles from Coast Guard Air Stations in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; and Miami, US.

Based on the Airbus Military CN235 tactical airlifter, the Ocean Sentry will support missions such as search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, cargo and personnel transport, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, and disaster relief.

The USCG is scheduled to receive three additional HC-144A aircraft in 2013 and 2014 while the aircraft had accomplished initial operational capability in 2008 with the Coast Guard, which plans to procure a fleet of 36 of these MPA.