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EADS Receives Order for Five
HC-144A U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Patrol Aircraft
New
order further expands the growing order book for EADS
CASA CN-235/C-295 military transport aircraft family
Arlington,
VA, May 8, 2007 -
EADS CASA, an operating entity of EADS, has received
an order from Lockheed Martin for five more U.S. Coast
Guard HC-144A aircraft, bringing total orders to eight
aircraft as part of the services aviation modernization
program.
Coast
Guard planning calls for the acquisition of up to 36
HC-144As, which are mission-tailored versions of EADS
CASAs popular CN-235 military transport. These
multi-mission aircraft will be used for homeland security
missions, search and rescue operations, law enforcement
missions including fisheries, counter narcotics,
pollution response, cargo and personnel transport.
The
HC-144A was selected because of the CN-235s excellent
performance, operational effectiveness and low cost
of ownership. Its mission flexibility is further enhanced
by the rear cargo ramp that is standard on EADS CASA's
family of CN-235/C-295 military airlifters. The larger
C-295 military aircraft is being offered by an industry
team led by Raytheon and EADS CASA North America to
meet the requirements of the U.S. Army/Air Force Joint
Cargo Aircraft program.
This
latest order for Coast Guard HC-144As further demonstrates
our ability to provide highly capable fixed and rotary
wing aircraft that meet a range of customer requirements,
including homeland security, law enforcement and operations
with the U.S. Army, said Ralph D. Crosby Jr.,
EADS North America Chairman & CEO. We look
forward to the HC-144s entry into active service
and are committed to providing the full resources of
EADS to support these aircraft over the long term.
EADS
CASA previously delivered two of the three HC-144As
acquired by the Coast Guard in its initial order. These
aircraft currently are undergoing final mission system
integration at the Coast Guards Aviation Repair
& Supply Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Another
major component in the Coast Guards aviation modernization
is the re-engining of its EADS HH-65 Dolphin helicopter
fleet, which significantly improves the performance
of these highly capable rotary-wing aircraft. The effort
involves EADS North Americas American Eurocopter
business unit which has delivered Dolphin re-engining
kits to the Coast Guard, and is completing its assigned
upgrade of 11 HH-65s at the companys Columbus,
Mississippi facility. Other HH-65s are undergoing the
conversion process at the Coast Guards Aviation
Repair & Supply Center.
The
entire Coast Guard fleet of 95 HH-65s is being converted
to the upgraded configuration, with the program to be
completed ahead of schedule this summer. To date, 80
HH-65As and HH-65Bs have undergone the re-engining process,
and all Coast Guard air stations with HH-65 helicopters
are now flying the HH-65C model with upgraded engines.
About
EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS
North America is the North American operations of EADS,
the second largest aerospace and defense company in
the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and
homeland security, EADS North America and its parent
company, EADS, contribute over $8.5 billion to the U.S.
economy annually and support more than 174,000 American
jobs through its network of suppliers and services.
With 11 operating companies located in 32 cities and
17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of
advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial,
homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.
Media
Contact:
Guy Hicks, Vice President Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703-236-3300
E-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com
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