First flight missionised USCG HC-27J Spartan
On 7 September 2023, the US Coast Guard (USCG) succesfully performed the first flight of the newly missionised HC-27J Spartan (serial 2712) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (MD).
The USCG is in the process of missionising all fourteen C-27J aircraft that were transferred from the USAF under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014. The missionisation programme refers to the process of integrating specialised equipment, such as radar, sensors and processors, that enhance the aircraft’s effectiveness in carrying out USCG missions.
The service is using Minotaur mission system architecture developed by the US Navy across its fixed wing fleet to integrate the specialised components such as surface search radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors because it offers significant increases in speed and memory capability.
The initial flight tests of the HC-27J will be performed by the Naval Air Systems Command Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 HC-27J test team with support from the USCG and Leonardo Aircraft Division at Patuxent River. Currently four Spartans are undergoing missionisation with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at NAS Patuxent River.
The Spartans are operated from two forward Coast Guard Air Stations (AIRSTA), these are the 7th Coast Guard District at St. Petersburg-Clearwater (FL) and the 11th Coast Guard District at Sacramento/McClellan Airfield (CA). The first aircraft for Clearwater was delivered in June 2023. Next to the two air stations some aircraft are operated by the Aviation Projects Acquisition Center at Elizabeth City (NC).
According the Scramble database the USCG has following HC-27Js on strength:
Photo by Ramon Berk (Scramble Archive)