Police Aviation News June 2009
Police Aviation News June 2009
Police Aviation News June 2009
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<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Aviation</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>June</strong> <strong>2009</strong> 22<br />
and HC-130J (3 examples) aircraft are now equipped with the Rockwell Collins DF-430-F<br />
Multi-mission Direction Finding (DF) system, which has already enabled Coast Guard aircrews<br />
to save 47 lives since its introduction to the service in 2006; a number of these SAR<br />
cases occurred after searches with older style direction finders were unsuccessful.<br />
The DF-430 is a proven, off-the-shelf, multi-purpose direction finding system that can home<br />
on both the 406 MHz signal as well as the legacy 121.5 MHz signal; these two signals emanate<br />
from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) when activated in an<br />
emergency situation. Older style direction finders could only detect the weaker 121.5 MHz<br />
signal, the range of which is approximately 5 miles. In comparison, Coast Guard aircraft<br />
have locked on to the more robust 406 MHz signal from up to 160 miles away (at altitude).<br />
Currently, 89 Coast Guard fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft are DF-430 equipped:<br />
31 MH-65C “Dolphin” Multi-mission Cutter Helicopters<br />
20 HU-25 “Falcon” Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft<br />
26 HC-130H “Hercules” Long Range Surveillance Aircraft<br />
Seven HC-144A “Ocean Sentry” Maritime Patrol Aircraft<br />
Three HC-130J “Super Hercules” Long Range Surveillance Aircraft<br />
Two MH-60T “Jayhawk” Medium Range Recovery Helicopters<br />
The Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Capability has cleared the HC-144A Ocean<br />
Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft for some operational missions. The IOC clearance is a major<br />
step forward for the HC-144A project, which will deliver 36 new aircraft and associated Mission<br />
System Pallets by 2020. The HC-144A is replacing the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of<br />
HU-25 Guardian (Falcon) jets.<br />
INDUSTRY<br />
In the past month the two UK based airborne sensor suppliers opened significant enhancements<br />
to their support operations.<br />
FLIR Systems introduced its newly-expanded service centre<br />
at 10 Kings Hill Road, in West Malling, Kent, UK on April<br />
30. The event was treated as a military event with Admiral<br />
Tony Johnstone-Burt , commander joint helicopter command,<br />
formally opening the facility but the guests were a<br />
mix of military, commercial and police.<br />
The investment in FLIR Systems' UK service centre enhances<br />
support for more than 450 systems in the UK and<br />
20 other countries across Europe. As became evident on<br />
the day this is not a modern equipment only facility and side<br />
by side with the latest sensors a single example of the venerable<br />
BSS 400 sensor turret stood awaiting its turn in the<br />
refurbishment cycle. Broadcast Surveillance Systems [BSS]<br />
was the original UK company incorporated into FLIR<br />
The improved facility is incorporated within the existing and familiar building West Malling.<br />
No additional space has been taken up but the area has been rethought and the equipment<br />
levels improved to enhance the efficiency of the support service.<br />
Although a service facility was recently brought on line in Dubai – primarily to support mili-
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