Israeli made systems for u.s cost guard

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Over the past five years, the U.S Coast Guard’s budget for acquiring assets such as fixed-wing aircraft and various cutters has “fallen short of what it estimates it needs to fully recapitalize its assets,” found the Government Accountability Office.

As a result, the service has delayed or reduced its capability every year, said Michele Mackin, an acquisition expert with GAO in May 14 testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Coast Guard and maritime transportation subcommittee.

And while the Homeland Security Department and Coast Guard have taken some steps to address the affordability issue, “these efforts have not led to the types of significant trade-off decisions among resources and needs that would improve the long-term outlook of the Coast Guard’s acquisition portfolio,” she added.

For instance, the service is in the process of receiving 14 C-27J fixed-wing aircraft from the Air Force at no cost. But it will take time and money – about seven years and $600 million – to fully transfer and modify the planes by adding IT and surveillance systems.

According to Fierce HomeLand Security , the Coast Guard will be short of reaching its goal of 52,400 flight hours per year, which is needed to fulfill its missions. In fiscal 2014, its planes flew 38 percent fewer hours than the goal, and even with the addition of the C-27J planes and other changes, it will be short of the goal by 18 percent when everything is operational, Mackin said.

The Coast Guard is currently revising its mission needs and analyzing its aircraft assets that best fit its needs.

In this process Israeli sources say the coast guard may consider to equip its aerial force with sensors that are manufactured in Israel and proven their capabilities in many forces including the U.S Navy