COAST GUARD * AIRCRAFT

Sea Power, Jan 2004

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 oil-pollution 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.

In an effort to address declining readiness and availability rates in the Coast Guard's aging HC-130H fleet, Congress provided funding in FY 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 six new HC-130J aircraft began in March 2003 to replace older HC-130Hs.

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 very 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-25 A model currently in service include HU-25C aircraft equipped with the APG-66 air to air/surface search radar and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) to prosecute air-intercept missions and conduct nighttime surveillance. A sensor upgrade converted six HU-25 As to HU-25D models, providing these aircraft 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 C4I capabilities. The HU-25C aircraft also are receiving a radar upgrade and the same FLIR/EO/MILSATCOM/workstation package as the D model.

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 medium-range 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 45-minute 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 GPS and INS receivers with Doppler backup. Sensors on the HH-60J consist of weather radar and a stand-alone forward-looking infrared radar 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 (OPBAT) operates two 24-hour sites at AUTEC and Great Inagua. 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 will undergo an avionics upgrade and SLEP along with new FLIR and radar beginning with the oldest airframe in mid-2005. This will extend the expected service life of the fleet until Deepwater MRR replacement aircraft phase-in between 2014 and 2022.

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 Mission Computer Unit (MCU)-the heart of the aircraft's fully integrated avionics package (built with 1970s technology)-is being replaced. The engine-control system also will be replaced-with extremely reliable state-of-the-art, digital-control technology. Weight growth from additional rescue swimmers and various systems-which has added approximately 850 pounds in mission weight with no corresponding increase in engine power available-has been a problem with the HH-65. The additional weight has been offset by using smaller fuel loads, which results in reduced mission endurance. The Coast Guard's National Distress System Modernization Program (NDSMP) will increase weight and space requirements and adversely affect all Coast Guard aircraft, especially the HH-65. Forward-looking infrared radar (FLIR) will be installed aboard three HH-65s for law-enforcement operations in the Caribbean area of responsibility; this will be the first permanent installation of FLIR technology on the HH-65 and will utilize third-generation technology with a five-to-10-year obsolescence window. HH-65 crews have completed night-vision-goggle (NVG) implementation, greatly enhancing nighttime search capabilities. The HH-65 is typically the only Coast Guard aircraft used aboard cutters during deployments. There are currently 96 HH-65s in service; 48 have been modified to HH-65B versions, equipped with CDU-900G control display units and MFD-255 multifunction displays.