By Calvin Biesecker
The Coast Guard in late December issued a market survey notice to identify potential sources that could do the systems integration on the HC-144A Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which is based on an airframe supplied by the European Aeronautical Defence and Space Co.
Lockheed Martin [LMT], through its Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) joint venture with Northrop Grumman [NOC], currently is in charge of missionizing the HC-144A aircraft after they arrive in the United States from EADS’ division in Spain. ICGS had been the Coast Guard’s lead systems integrator for the service’s Deepwater modernization program, overseeing much of the project.
However, the Coast Guard has been phasing out ICGS’ work on Deepwater modernization effort, of which the HC-144A is just one part, the last few years. Instead, the Coast Guard has taken on the lead systems integrator role.
In the sources sought notice last month, the Coast Guard said the contractor that will deliver the HC-144A aircraft in the future will be responsible for program management, management of subcontractors, system integration, configuration management, equipment deliveries, factory acceptance test and ferry fight support.
The Coast Guard told Defense Daily it expects to release a Request for Proposals for the HC-144A contract support early this year.
The HC-144A Ocean Sentry is a twin-turboprop, medium-range surveillance aircraft that does search and rescue, drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, and transport missions. The Coast Guard has ordered 11 aircraft so far, with eight already delivered, through ICGS. The next batch of aircraft will be purchased through the new competition. The service plans to buy 36 of the planes.