Office of Aviation Forces (CG-711)
HH/MH-65C: Dolphin
Overview:
The H-65 helicopter — the Coast Guard’s most ubiquitous aircraft — is certified for operation in all-weather and night-time operations, with the exception of icing conditions. The H-65 is the only Coast Guard aircraft used aboard certified cutters during deployments. FLIR, a heads-up display and other avionics upgrades are being installed aboard the H-65 for law-enforcement operations. H-65 crews have completed night-vision goggle implementation, greatly enhancing night-time search capabilities. There are 101 H-65s in the inventory. As part of the ongoing H-65 Conversion / Sustainment Project, all HH-65Bs have been upgraded to HH-65C configuration, equipped with Turbomecca Arriel 2C2 engines. Furthermore, the re-designation of AUF HH-65Cs to MH-65Cs reflects the installation of armament and a significantly upgraded communications package. Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) Jacksonville was the first operational Coast Guard unit to employ the MH-65C and have a total of 10 assigned to replace the MH-68As. Since then, Air Stations Port Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Savannah, New Orleans and Miami have transitioned to MH-65s with the entire fleet scheduled to be converted by FY12.
Air Stations
- CGAS Traverse City, Michigan
- CGAS Barbers Point, Hawaii
- CGAS Borinquen, Puerto Rico
- CGAS Atlantic City, New Jersey
- CGAS Corpus Christi, Texas
- CGAS Detroit, Michigan
- CGAS HITRON Jacksonville, FL
- CGAS Houston, Texas
- CGAS Humbolt Bay, California
- CGAS Los Angeles, California
- CGAS Miami, Florida
- ATC Mobile, Alabama
- CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana
- CGAS North Bend, Oregon
- CGAS San Francisco, California
- CGAS Port Angeles, Washington
- CGAS Savannah, Georgia
Specifications
- Power Plant
- MH-65C: Two 853 shp Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG has turbine engines
- Performance
- Max Speed: 175 knots (MH-65C)
Cruising Speed: 148 nautical miles (MH-65C)
Service Ceiling ~10,000 ft
Range: 290 nautical miles (MH-65C) - Weight
- Gross Weight:9,480 lbs (MH-65C)
- Dimensions
- Rotor Diameter: 39ft 2in
Length: 44ft 5in
Height: 13ft 5in - Armament
- Single 7.62mm M240B/H machine gun
- 7.62mm shoulder-fired precision weapon
.50-caliber shoulder-fired precision weapon - Crew
- 2 pilots
1 flight mechanic
1 rescue swimmer
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