Hughes Network Systems, LLC, the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced its selection by the U.S. Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR) to provide SATCOM systems integration for the U.S. Coast Guard on its HC-27J aircraft. Under the agreement, Hughes will integrate Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) systems to strengthen the Coast Guard's missions requiring airborne Communications-on-the-Move (COTM), including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR).
"This new opportunity reflects the trust we have built among our partners and NAVAIR in providing wideband BLoS SATCOM integration and engineering support for the Coast Guard's aircraft," said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division at Hughes. "We look forward to continuing to enhance the U.S. Coast Guard's airborne capabilities in support of their reconnaissance, humanitarian and disaster relief missions."
Under this contract valued at $3.5 million, which follows completion of a 2018 award to Hughes for BLoS system integration, Hughes will integrate components from technology providers CPI Radant and GETSAT Ltd. for installation on HC-27J aircraft— including antennas, modems, and radomes—as well as providing engineering services and technical training for testing and operations. Part of the Coast Guard's medium-range surveillance aircraft fleet, the HC-27J performs numerous maritime missions in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean, such as search-and-rescue, drug/migrant interdiction and disaster response.