US Coast Guard requests US$221.8 million for aircraft procurement and modification

The US Coast Guard’s budget documents have revealed a request for US$221.8 million for aircraft procurement and modification, specifically to extend the service life of multiple aircraft into the next two decades.

The majority of the budget – US$1 billion and US$92.5 million – is siloed for ship procurement and operations and maintenance respectively.

Sikorsky, Eurocopter, and Lockheed outlined in budget

Aircraft demands include:

• US$102.8 million to extend the service life of the Sikorsky MH-60T helicopter fleet into the 2030s and extend the fleet beyond 48 aircraft
• US$32 million for modernization of the Eurocopter MH-65 helicopter and extend the service life into the 2030s
• US$66.5 million to continue converting the service’s Alenia C-27J surveillance aircraft into HC-27J versions
• US$20 million for materials to adopt the Lockheed HC-130J aircraft for surveillance
• US$0.5 million to fund installation of small, unmanned aerial systems into National Security ships

The 2022 budget also revealed plans for the US Coast Guard to retire five Lockheed HC-130H aircraft.

The UK government has invited multiple aviation companies to tender for the UK Second Generation Search and Rescue Aviation Programme for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.