Exelis to deliver airborne surveillance radars to US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded a contract to Exelis to provide airborne surveillance radars.

Under the $32m, five-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, Exelis will also provide spares, support equipment and technical services.

Fitted aboard the US Coast Guard’s HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft, the AN/APY-11 multimode radar has been designed to augment the US Coast Guard’s situational awareness and ability to conduct missions successfully.

The belly-mounted 360-degree long-range search radar is also used to support the mapping of oil spills of national significance (SONS) as well as to intercept drug smugglers, locate stranded boats and track ice in the North Atlantic.

Multifunctionality feature of the radar supports the service’s maritime reconnaissance mission including long-range surveillance, search and rescue, drug interdiction, counterterrorism and maritime environmental missions.

Exelis electronic attack & release systems business, defence systems, programmes director Pete Martin said, "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."

The HC-130J aircraft features two operator workstation on the flight deck, a nose-mounted EO/IR pod, a belly-mounted surface search radar, as well as other communication and surveillance sensors.