Aircraft Services for Maritime Surveillance with Long-Range Fixed-Wing Aircraft Aircraft services for maritime surveillance: Provision of a fully-fledged service with manned fixed-wing aircraft for aerial surveillance over sea, including aircraft, sufficient crew members (pilot, sensor operator, technician), liaison officers in the Operation Coordination Centre (60 minutes before take-off to 60 minutes after landing), maintenance capability, data transmission via BRLOS (minimum 512 kbps uplink, real-time video streaming of EO/IR), logistical infrastructure and ground support (hangar, parking space, fuel), administrative responsibility (permissions, certifications, insurances). The aircraft must be able to reach a surveillance area more than 401 NM from the base airport, deliver a minimum 2.5-hour mission flight in the Area of Interest at an average speed of approximately 150 knots, between 1,000 feet and 6,000 feet, and perform a total minimum of 6 hours of flight (excluding final reserve and contingency fuel) with 2 Frontex liaison officers on board. Missions may take place over Third Country (TC) waters/territory or operate from TC base airports. The aircraft has an approved life-raft drop capability (each life-raft at least 10 PAX, total dropping capacity minimum 30 PAX), where activation of life-raft drop allows the deployed aircraft to continue its mission flight and a second mission flight with full operational configuration is possible within 60 minutes after landing. An emergency broadcast system (406 or 121.5 MHz) on the life raft is considered an advantage. Optionally, the aircraft can have drop capability for life buoys able to broadcast their position for at least 48 hours. Equipment includes the following sensors: HD multi-sensor Electro-Optical/Infrared camera for day and night operations, AIS receiver, weather detection and avoidance system (EASA compliant), dedicated maritime surveillance radar (X-band, track minimum 500 simultaneous targets), global navigation satellite system receiver, optional anti-jamming equipment in GNSS denied environment, satellite phone. Framework contract duration: 2+2 years.
European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX)
· Warsaw