The electronics brand Raymarine, owned by the international marine technology giant FLIR (headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon), announced that it has been awarded a $9.9 million contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for encrypted automatic identification systems (AIS). The contract supports the USCG’s Second Generation Automatic Identification System (AIS-2) program that has an emphasis on cyber security.
“Our technology will provide enhanced levels of secure communication and coordination between Coast Guard boats, cutters, and shore stations,” said Jim Cannon, president and CEO at FLIR, in a recent statement. “This award further extends our technology partnership with the Coast Guard, providing next-generation communication capabilities to complement their Raymarine SINS-2 navigation systems.”
The government anticipates the purchase of vessel class-specific kits and spare part to equip all USCH vessels with AIS-2 over the next five years. This is quite the bold move that includes outfitting the roughly 1,774 boats and 282 cutters in the USCG’s active fleet. The contract will be managed and executed by the FLIR Commercial Business Unit in Nashua, New Hampshire facility.
