The US Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to purchase an additional Airbus Military CN235 turboprop transport, which carries the service designation HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft. When it enters the USCG inventory, it will become the service's 18th such aircraft.
"The HC-144A is becoming the Coast Guard's primary maritime patrol aircraft, and we're proud of the central role it is playing in executing the service's increasingly demanding mission," says Antonio Rodriguez-Barberan, an Airbus Military's senior vice president.
Airbus says the extra HC-144A is part of a contract awarded in July 2010 for a firm three aircraft order, but which included options for up to six additional aircraft. The USCG has options left on the contract for up to two additional aircraft which can be exercised during 2014, the company says.
USCG plans call for acquiring a total of 36 HC-144As.
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| US Coast Guard |
Source: Flight International
