The Loss of Infrared Imaging for Search and Rescue in the USCG Helicopter Fleet

Abstract

On February 19th, 2019 Teledyne/FLIR Corporation initially issued an “End of Life Notification” for the Electro-Optical Sensor System (ESS) utilized by the U.S. Coast Guard due to component and parts obsolescence by 2025. Following the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Teledyne/FLIR issued an updated "End of Life Notification" in 2022, stating the ESS was no longer supportable effective immediately, three years earlier than expected. This announcement forced the Coast Guard to consolidate its remaining available ESS units to preserve its capability, resulting in its removal from all MH-65 search and rescue (SAR) units that provide maritime SAR coverage for 50% of the U.S. coastline. This case analysis explores how this happened, what acquisition related decisions and processes ultimately contributed to the removal of the ESS without a viable replacement readily available, and potential acquisition policy improvements that can be applied to enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to sustain key capabilities long-term and prevent similar scenarios in the future.