Coast Guard HC-27J aircraft. Photo: Homeland Security Technology 

Hughes Network Systems has been awarded a $3.5 million follow-on contract from U.S. Naval Air Systems to enhance airborne communications for 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), and humanitarian aid and disaster relief. 

The contract follows completion of a 2018 award for BLoS system integration. Hughes plans to integrate components from technology providers CPI Radant and GetSAT for installation on HC-27J aircraft — including antennas, modems, and radomes — as well as providing engineering services and technical training for testing and operations. 

“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.