General Dynamics continues deploying Coast Guard rescue system
- By David Hubler
- May 03, 2012
General Dynamics Corp.'s C4 Systems group will provide sustainment services for the Coast Guard’s national Rescue 21 search and rescue system under a four-year. $176 million contract.
As a result, General Dynamics, the prime contractor for the system's design, development and deployment, will continue to provide field service personnel, technical support and maintenance of the system, according to a May 3 company news release.
Rescue 21 uses advanced direction-finding technologies and digital communications to respond to emergency calls from mariners. It also coordinates with federal, state and local law enforcement and first responders.
The system supports the Coast Guard's homeland security missions that include drug interdiction, defense readiness, marine environmental protection and law enforcement.
Rescue 21 currently comprises 232 fixed towers and related facilities that enable the Coast Guard to monitor the nation's coastline and inland waterways. It also serves as the Homeland Security Department's first nationwide command, control and communications network, the announcement said.
When completed, Rescue 21 will be a network of 32 Coast Guard sector command centers, 167 stations and more than 260 fixed towers located along U.S. waterways and the shores of the Great Lakes, Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
General Dynamics Corp., of Falls Church, Va., ranks No. 5 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.
About the Author
David Hubler is the former print managing editor for GCN and senior editor for Washington Technology. He is freelance writer living in Annandale, Va.