NEWS | HH/MH-65 Dolphin in US US Coast Guard

USCG Receives First HH-65C

US Coast Guard Port Angeles station in Washington received the first of three HH-65C Dolphin "Charlie" helicopters upgraded with the Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshaft engines





US Coast Guard, June 28, 2006 - Port Angeles, WA - The Coast Guard delivered the first of three re-engined HH-65 Dolphin helicopters to Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles as part of the Deepwater Program Saturday.

The helicopter was upgraded with Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshaft engines that provide substantially more power, flight control and flight safety improvements. The upgraded helicopters have the new designation of HH-65C as opposed to the former HH-65B.

Pilots, crewmembers, and maintenance personnel receive extensive ground and flight training before receiving the qualifications and designations required to fly or work on the HH-65C "Charlie" helicopter.

Twin-engine HH-65 helicopters are particularly well-suited for search and rescue, fisheries patrols, maritime security, border patrol, monitoring illegal immigration, and drug interdiction. The modernization effort to re-engine all HH-65 helicopters in the fleet with the upgraded engine includes the provision of kits by American Eurocopter (AEC), a division of EADS North America. The conversion kits facilitate installation of extended heat shields, a reconfigured cockpit, and specialized avionics software needed for shipboard operations.

The Coast Guard's re-engining of all operational HH-65s will remedy significant safety and reliability concerns that impact the aging helicopters. The modernization process is being conducted by the Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) team, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation, in partnership with the Coast Guard.

Currently, the Coast Guard's HH-65 re-engining is being performed by the Coast Guard working with ICGS at Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (ARSC) in Elizabeth City, N.C.

The Deepwater Program is the largest modernization and recapitalization program in the history of the Coast Guard. The remaining two helicopters are scheduled to be delivered by mid July to ensure the unit has a full complement of upgraded aircraft.


Location : US Port Angeles

  See also


HH/MH-65 Dolphin in US US Coast Guard
US Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles US Coast Guard




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