Lockheed Martin and aircraft maker EADS-CASA, on December 6, in Seville, transferred ownership of the first Deepwater medium range surveillance maritime patrol aircraft (MRS MPA) to the U.S. Coast Guard. Produced in Spain with substantial U.S. content, including avionics, propulsion and integrated subsystems, the CN-235-300CG is the first all-new aircraft developed for the Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater System under contract to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS).

"Today's delivery of the first MRS MPA is a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to acquire and deliver more capable and interoperable assets and systems to our Coast Guard crews," said Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, program executive officer for the Integrated Deepwater System. "When this aircraft and others like it enter operational service, they will help to narrow our existing gaps in maritime surveillance in many important ways. We look forward to putting it to work next year."

"There's nothing like delivering new equipment to the customer," said Leo Mackay, ICGS president. "Today's accomplishment adds to the running tally of more than 150 successful upgrades and improvements to the Coast Guard fleet through Deepwater -- from more powerful HH-65 helicopters to enhanced communications and connectivity systems aboard legacy cutters to interoperable command and control capabilities at shore command centers."

Following initial training and aircraft familiarization, which are now underway, the Coast Guard will fly the aircraft to Elizabeth City, N.C., where Lockheed Martin will integrate the mission systems pallet prior to delivery for operational evaluation to the Coast Guard's Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala., in 2007.

The second aircraft under contract to ICGS has begun preliminary flight testing and the third is nearing production completion. The current Deepwater implementation plan calls for production and system integration of 36 aircraft through 2017.

"For more than 20 years, EADS has partnered with U.S. agencies including the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, DEA and law enforcement departments in providing for the nation's defense and security," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. "Following in that tradition, the EADS CASA CN-235-300CG will be a critically important asset to the Coast Guard in its mission as the front line guardian of U.S. homeland security."

The MRS MPA's size, range, and reconfiguration capabilities will enable the Coast Guard to improve execution of its multiple maritime and military missions which includes marine safety, search and rescue, maritime security, national defense, law enforcement and environmental protection. The aircraft also is well-suited for the transport of cargo and personnel.

About Integrated Deepwater System

Deepwater is a critical multiyear, multibillion dollar program to modernize and replace the Coast Guard's aging ships and aircraft, and improve command and control and logistics systems. It is the largest recapitalization effort in the history of the Coast Guard. When complete, the interoperable Deepwater system will include three major classes of new cutters and their associated small boats, a new fixed-wing manned aircraft fleet, upgraded helicopters, and both cutter-based and land-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All of these highly capable assets are linked with command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, and are supported by a new and far-reaching integrated logistics system.

About Integrated Coast Guard Systems

ICGS is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman . ICGS was awarded the Deepwater contract in June 2002 and has been renewed through January 2011. Headquartered in Rosslyn, Va., core leadership teams are co-located in Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.

SOURCE: Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS)