First look at the new(kinda) Coast Guard Hermes Starliner

Noah Note

Welp. After months of begging and annoying the wonderful folks at Transport Canada have finally provided some photos for the famed Hermes 900 Statliner that is sadly no longer in their possession. If you read the newsletter this week, you'll remmeber that the Starliner has officially been transfered to the Canadian Coast Guard.

Yes, through no effort of their own the CCG is now the proud owner of a kinda-new Hermes Starliner. While I believe Murray first broke the news in September, the CCG and TC have been very hesitant to confirm the move officially until this week.

I have asked a few times mind you, however the responses have always been that it was a discussion in progress. Evidently not anymore… The Starliner was delivered back in September after several years of delays. Originally she was supposed to be delivered in 2022, though issues with the platform pushed that out further and further.

There are apparently still some ongoing issues deapite delivery but I don't know what they are. Also kinda funny that the CCG is now the one player in the Defence Team with a MALE UAS, and will be until the RCAF receives the first Guardian in 2028. That is a bit funny to me.

I love the Surveillance Red though. One of the best schemes we have. Matches up nicely with the Dashes. The primary role of the Starliner is still to support the National Aerial Surveillance Program. That means monitoring potential oil spills, survey ice and marine habitats, and monitor activity on the ocean in Canada’s Arctic.

The plan was at one point to base it in Iqaluit but I don't know if thats still the expectation. Funny enough Canada did consider grabbing a Global Hawk from Germany for the role but it didn't work out. That would have been sick. As more info becomes available I'll post an update! At least we know it's here…