The Coast Guard this week said it has exercised a $78.5 million contract option with the North American division of European Aeronautical Defence and Space Co. (EADS) to purchase two HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The purchase covers the 16th and 17th HC-144As the service has procured of a planned buy of 36 of the aircraft. The aircraft under the latest award are expected to be delivered in 2014.
The option was awarded under a contract the Coast Guard signed with EADS in Aug. 2010 for the purchase of three aircraft with four options for up to six more aircraft. The contract value for the three aircraft was $117.2 million (Defense Daily, Aug. 3, 2010).
The HC-144A is a version of the CN-235, a twin-engine transport plane used by a number of foreign militaries that is built by Spain’s CASA, a division of EADS. Lockheed Martin [LMT] supplies removable mission systems for the Coast Guard’s HC-144 fleet.
So far 13 HC-144A aircraft have been delivered and the 14th aircraft is due for delivery this July.
The Coast Guard has two options remaining under the contract for up to three aircraft total. Those options can be exercised in the next two years.