US Coast Guard HC-144A Ocean Sentry
casa cn-235 | eads hc-144a ocean sentry
medium range patrol aircraft
18 in active service
Designed to fit the needs of the United States Coast Guard (USCG)’s “Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft” request, the EADS HC-144A Ocean Sentry is a derivative of the highly-successful CASA CN-235-300 Persuader maritime patrol aircraft. The HC-144A replaced the Dassault HU-25 Guardian and features a longer range and better performance in the maritime patrol role. Capable of short take offs/landings and equipped with a rear cargo door, the HC-144A can operate as a humanitarian aircraft, delivering supplies to remote, out-of-the-way locations after a disaster. The long eight hour loiter time of the aircraft makes it ideal for search-and-rescue missions and aerial command/control missions, both of which the aircraft is capable of carrying out.
The aircraft is also equipped for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions, along with radar and EO/IR sensors, which enable the HC-144A to act as a command platform for search-and-rescue and homeland security missions.
technical information
- Length: 70 ft 3 in (21.41 m)
- Wingspan: 84 ft 8 in (8.18 m)
- Height: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
- Empty Weight: 21,605 lb (9,800 kg)
- Max Takeoff Weight: 36,380 lb (16,502 kg)
- Crew: 6
- Powerplant: 2 x General Electric CT7 turboprop | 1,870 shp (1,390 kW) each
- Maximum Speed: 272 mph | 437 km/h
- Range: 1,801 mi | 2,898 km | 1,565 nmi
- Endurance: 8.7 hours
HC-27J Medium Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Alenia c-27j spartan | hc-27j spartan
Medium range maritime patrol aircraft
14 in active service
Derived from the well-tested C-27J Spartan, the HC-27J family consists of ex-USAF cargo aircraft converted to the maritime patrol role. The aircraft came fitted standard with weather radar, communications equipment, and the ability to rapidly change mission modules. The aircraft are all to be modified with a standard Coast Guard fixed-wing Mission Systems Pallet, an integrated surface search radar, night vision capabilities, and EO/IR sensors.
technical information
- Length: 74 ft 6 in (22.7 m)
- Wingspan: 94 ft 2 in (28.7 m)
- Height: 31 ft 8 in (9.64 m)
- Empty Weight: 37,479 lb (17,000 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 67,241 lb (30,500 kg)
- Crew: 2-3
- Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce AE2100-D2A turboprop | 4,640 hp (3,460 kW) each
- Maximum Speed: 374 mph | 602 km/h
- Range: 1,093 mi | 1,759 km | 950 nmi
- Endurance: 12 hours
C-37A Command and Control Aircraft
gulfstream v | c-37a
Command and Control aircraft
2 in service
Operated to serve senior Coast Guard and Homeland Security officials, the C-37A is simply a military version of the civilian Gulfstream V. The aircraft can carry 12 passengers with a crew of four. As an upgraded GV, the C-37A contains encrypted radio equipment and advanced communications gear, which requires an operator. A flight engineer and two pilots complete the aircraft crew.
technical information
- Length: 96.4 ft (29.4 m)
- Wingspan: 93.45 ft (29.4 m)
- Height: 26.85 ft (8.18 m)
- Empty Weight: 46,200 lb (20,956 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 90,500 lb (41,050 kg)
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 15-19
- Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce BR710A1-10 turbofan | 14,750 lbf (65.6 kN) each
- Maximum Speed: 675 mph | 1,068 km/h
- Range: 6,329 mi | 10,186 km | 5,500 nmi
- Endurance: 14.5 hours
HC-130 Hercules Long-Range Reconnaissance Aircraft
lockheed c-130 hercules | hc-130h hercules & hc-130j super hercules
Long-Range Surveillance Aircraft
22 HC-130H, 6 HC-130J in-service
A modified version of the widely-sold and used C-130 Hercules family, the HC-130 fills several important roles for the Coast Guard. It can provide on-scene command-and-control with long loiter times, and can also fill the maritime patrol, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, disaster response, and cargo/personnel transport roles. It is also capable of air-dropping rescue equipment to people in need on land and at sea. The HC-130H was acquired to replace the older HU-16 Albatross and HC-132 Provider aircraft in-use by the Coast Guard.
The HC-130J is a modernized version of the previous model. It comes complete with a powerful multimode surface-search radar, a nose-mounted EO-IR device, and an Airborne Tactical Workstation, along with satellite communications and encrypted radio communications devices.
technical information
- Length: 97 ft 9 in (29.8 m)
- Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.4 m)
- Height: 38 ft 3 in (11.6 m)
- Empty Weight: 76,780 lb (34,826 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 175,000 lb (79,379 kg)
- Crew: 5-7
- Powerplant: 4 x Allison T56-A-15 turboprop | 4,300 shp | 3,210 kW) each
- Maximum Speed: 380 mph (537 km/h)
- Range: 5,178 mi | 8,334 km | 4,500 nmi
- Endurance: 9 hours
Two MH-60 Jayhawks in different USCG paint schemes
sikorsky sh-60 seahawk | mh-60t jayhawk
medium-range recovery helicopter
42 in active service
Developed from the US Navy’s MH-60R and MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters (and thus tracing its lineage to the US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk), the MH-60T Jayhawk is an incredibly capable medium-range recovery helicopter that began entering Coast Guard service in 1990, replacing the older HH-3F Pelican. The Jayhawk has two pilots, a flight mechanic, and a rescue swimmer, with a capacity to carry six passengers. The Jayhawk can be carried aboard certain naval and Coast Guard vessels as well, giving it an extended range.
Complete with a night-vision system, a rescue hoist capable of lifting up to 600 pounds (which is boosted by the ability to carry 6,000 pounds externally), the MH-60T is capable of search-and-rescue missions, law enforcement, and homeland security missions. Humanitarian and transport capabilities further boost the utility of the MH-60T. Capable of armed response since 2008 (when the designation changed from HH-60 to MH-60) and equipped with a glass cockpit, fly-by-wire system, and a host of sensors and radars, the helicopter is likely to remain in USCG service for some time (at least until 2027).
technical information
- Length: 64 ft 8 in (19.75 m)
- Rotor Diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.35 m)
- Height: 17 ft 2 in (5.2 m)
- Empty Weight: 15,200 lb (6,895 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 21,884 lb (9,927 kg)
- Crew: 4
- Powerplant: 2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft | 1,890 shp | 1,410 kW take-off power each
- Maximum Speed: 168 mph (270 km/h)
- Range: 518 mi | 834 km | 450 nmi
- Endurance: 45 minutes @ 300 nmi
- Armament: .50-caliber precision fire weapon, M240 7.62 mm machine gun
MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter
eurocopter as365 dauphin | mh-65c/d dolphin
Short-range recovery helicopter
99 in active service
Descended from a line of trusted US Coast Guard helicopters (the HH-65A/B) and developed from the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, the MH-65C/D (and soon E) Dolphin are the most numerous helicopters in the Coast Guard inventory. The helicopter is capable of all-weather and night flight, but is prohibited from flying in icy conditions. The speed, versatility, and ability to be carried aboard Coast Guard cutters make it the ideal helicopter for most Coast Guard operations. Capable of maintaining a search grid automatically (thus enabling the pilot to join in search efforts) and with a speed of up to 75 knots for 3.5 hours (with sprints up to 165 knots), the helicopter is perfect for coastal operations and shipboard rescue efforts.
Starting with the MH-65C, the Dolphin is also capable of carrying weapons. These include the M240 7.62 mm machine gun or a Barrett M107 .50-caliber precision rife, and are used for counterdrug operations. The helicopters have also been upgraded to include advanced avionics and electronics, including night-vision capabilities and new navigation systems. As the MH-65 is upgraded to the E model, it will also include a new all-glass cockpit.
technical information
- Length: 38 ft 1 in (11.6 m)
- Rotor Diameter: 39 ft 2 in (11.93 m)
- Height: 13 ft 1 in (4 m)
- Empty Weight: 6,896 lb (3,128 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 9,480 lb (4,300 kg)
- Crew: 4
- Powerplant: 2 x Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshaft engines | 853 hp | 636 kW each
- Maximum Speed: 207 mph (333 km/h)
- Range: 409 mi | 658 km | 355 nmi
- Endurance: 3.5 hours @ 75 knots
- Armament: .50-caliber precision fire weapon, M240 7.62 mm machine gun
All images courtesy US DoD via dvidshub.net.
