The United States Coast Guard will lease two high-speed executive-type planes, one made in Israel, for evaluation on medium-range search and rescue mission assignments, the Coast Guard announced here today. The leases are for six months. Tests will begin in April of an Israel Aircraft Industries 1123 Westwind and a Cessna Citation plane. Leases to the Israeli and American firms were awarded after competitive procurement procedures, the Coast Guard said, adding that if the tests are successful, modern commercial jets may be purchased to replace the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of medium-range amphibious planes.
Coast Guard officials said that both planes can reach the scene quickly and then can slow down in a search area for better coverage on such missions. The amphibious Grunman Albatross now in service has a top speed of about 230 mph, a cruise speed of 180 mph and a range of 2000 miles. Israel’s Westwind has a top speed exceeding 530 mph, a range of more than 2000 miles and “very good” low-speed flying capability, the officials said.
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