ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard held a ceremony recognizing the enhanced mission capabilities of the MH-65D Dolphin Short Range Recovery Helicopter fleet here Friday.

The helicopters have been upgraded with a series of overhauls by replacing obsolete components and unsupportable equipment with modern digital systems.

The Dolphin upgrades include digital avionics components, including a new flight navigation system, new digital computer displays and embedded GPS. These upgrades are critical to the helicopter’s continued safe and effective flight performance. They also provide the crew with improved situational awareness and enhanced navigation and communications.

Rear Adm. John Korn, Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition, Rear Adm. Dean Lee, commander of the Coast Guard’s 5th District and Rep. Frank LoBiondo each gave remarks at the ceremony.

“By adding digital equipment that is smaller and lighter than the old equipment, the Delta upgrade decreases the weight of the helicopter,” said Korn at the ceremony “this, in turn, makes it more fuel efficient to stay on scene longer.”

Air Station Atlantic City’s crew maintains the Coast Guard’s largest MH-65D fleet with 10 newly updated Dolphins responsible for supporting missions throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia. The air station’s crewmembers support a wide range of Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement, port security and marine environmental protection.

Characteristics:

Number Planned: 102
Airframe Manufacturer: EADS/Eurocopter
Rotor Diameter: 39ft. 2in.
Height: 13ft. 3in.
Length: 38ft. 2in.
Max Gross Weight: 9,480lbs.
Empty Weight: 5,267lbs
Propulsion Type: Two Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG Turboshafts
Fuel Capacity: 1,977lbs
Speed: 165kts
Radius of Action: 150nm
Endurance: 4h
Crew: Three
Armament: M107-derived .50 cal. precision fire weapon; M240B 7.62mm general purpose machine gun

see also this article – Converting MH-65C Helicopters to MH-65Ds Adds New Digital Navigation Systems