Airbus Military has announced that the US Coast Guard has ordered three additional CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Designated as the HC-144A Ocean Sentry in the US, the CN235s are modified to carry search radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, an Automatic Identification System for data collection from vessels at sea, and a communications suite. The Coast Guard currently operates 10 HC-144s, with the aircraft achieving initial operating capability last year.
The new aircraft will be delivered from 2011. The US Coast Guard expects to eventually take 36 Ocean Sentries to replace their fleet of HU-25 Guardian Falcon jets.
