Will provide 95 HH-65 Dolphin re-engining kits to upgrade Coast Guard helos

American Eurocopter, a subsidiary of Eurocopter and a business unit of EADS North America, has signed a contract to provide re-engining kits for 95 U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphins. The contract was announced at the Grand Opening ceremonies for American Eurocopter's new production facility in Columbus, MS.

The contract was signed with Lockheed Martin, a partner in Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, and is part of the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) Program, a multi-year program to modernize and replace the Coast Guard's aging ships and aircraft, and improve command and control and logistics systems. The initial release against this contract is $22M.

American Eurocopter will supply re-engining kits, spare parts and technical assistance/support. Turbomeca USA will provide the Arriel 2C2 turboshaft engine. The multi-year upgrade program for the U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter fleet will significantly improve the maritime service's operational capabilities.

"The U.S. Coast Guard is one of our most important customers and we are totally committed to support this contract, which will improve the HH-65's ability to meet the new homeland security challenges," said Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter's President and CEO.

This contract is in compliance with the Coast Guard's request for immediate re-engining action to ensure safe and reliable operations with its HH-65s. The first re-engined helicopter was recently delivered to the Coast Guard and was completed in only 109 days.

The re-engining work is carried out at the Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (AR&SC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where an American Eurocopter technical team has been located for on-site support.

"The HH-65 re-engining program was begun immediately in support of the Coast Guard's requirement. We at EADS North America and American Eurocopter are very pleased to provide the U.S. Coast Guard with maximum helicopter resources to complete the re-engining on time," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO, EADS North America.

EADS North America companies constitute one of the largest subcontractors to the Deepwater Program, supplying products and services from several EADS divisions. In addition to American Eurocopter's HH-65 modernization support, EADS CASA North America is supplying the fleet of CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The Deepwater equipment replacement program demonstrates the effectiveness of transatlantic agreements and is reflective of EADS's long-term working relationship with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, who lead the Deepwater Program effort in partnership with the Coast Guard.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com, www.eadsnorthamerica.com