The US Coast Guard is switching from MD Helicopters (MDHI) MD902 Explorer gunships to armed Agusta A109 Powers to intercept high-speed drug-smuggling boats in international waters.
Establishment of the airborne intercept mission results from the previously secret proof-of-concept project, dubbed Operation New Frontier, which pioneered the use of USCG helicopters to stem the flow of drugs smuggled aboard small, fast boats.
In September 1998, Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Ten was formed and for 18 months operated two leased Explorers (dubbed MH-90 Enforcers) which intercepted six boats, arresting 17 suspects and seized significant quantities of drugs.
The demonstration led to the establishment of a permanent unit and the start of a competition for a 30-month lease of company-maintained helicopters featuring mission equipment including a forward-looking infrared sensor, a pintle-mounted 7.62mm machine gun at a door, and a 0.50in Robar sniper's rifle, which is used to disable boat engines.
MDHI bid against the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C-powered A109. Summit Aviation and Bell offered the 430 model, while Lear Siegler and Eurocopter teamed to offer the AS365 Dauphin. The USCG contract calls for delivery of two leased A109s in September. A contract option covers the delivery of six additional A109s next April.
Adm James Loy, the USCG's commandant, wants the contract option to be exercised. "We want very much to bring the tool to bear on the counter drug effort, and it's purely a matter of money," he says.
Industry officials say the contract is worth $18.6 million. An equal number of leased MD902s would have cost over $40 million.
The A109s will be based in Florida and will work with Lockheed MartinC-130Hs used for surveillance.
Source: Flight International
