Tue, Mar 06, 2012
Aircraft Based On The Same Airframe As U.S. Coast Guard’s
HC-144A Ocean Sentry
EADS North America has delivered the second of four Airbus
Military CN235-300 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to be supplied to
the Mexican Navy. The foreign military sales contract for the
aircraft is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, which uses the
CN235-300 in the HC-144A Ocean Sentry configuration for missions
ranging from search and rescue to drug interdiction.
In January, EADS North America delivered its 13th HC-144A Ocean
Sentry to the U.S. Coast Guard, two months ahead of schedule. The
service plans to acquire a total of 36 of the twin-engine
turboprops. Mexico is the first U.S. foreign military sales
customer for the highly successful Airbus Military CN235 tactical
airlifter family, more than 250 of which are already in operation
by 27 countries. EADS North America is also supplying spares
provisioning, ground support equipment and associated training for
the Mexican Navy aircraft.
“The HC-144A is playing a vital role in the protection of
our nation with the U.S. Coast Guard, and we’re proud to
serve our country’s national interests by supporting the
Mexican Navy with a similarly important capability,” said
Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America Chairman and CEO.
The CN235-300 MPAs enhance Mexico’s ability to support the
Mérida Initiative, a cooperative security arrangement
between the U.S., Mexico and Central American
countries. The new aircraft’s missions include homeland
security, search and rescue, military readiness, cargo and
personnel transport, drug interdiction and maritime environmental
protection.
The MPA configuration of the CN235 incorporates the latest
technology developed for surveillance over the sea. The combination
of a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system and search radar allows
the aircraft to locate and track ships to conduct thorough patrols
of a coastline. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) and the
Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) help make this aircraft the
ideal tool to carry out military surveillance missions for the
Mexican Navy. The FITS was developed by Airbus Military and ensures
that the extensive data gathered by the aircraft’s onboard
sensors can be easily used by the crew to execute their
mission.
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