COLUMBIA RIVER The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received an upgraded MH-60T Jayhawk rescue helicopter, the latest model, at Air Station Astoria last Thursday.

    The MH-60T Jayhawk features upgrades that greatly enhance mission performance capabilities for flight crews. It improves medium-range response and recovery operations including law enforcement, search and rescue as well as cutter operations.

    The helicopters modernized cockpit includes:

    Five multi-functional display screens

    Full-screen radar display

    Sensor and hoist camera images

    Primary flight instruments

    Integrated traffic collision avoidance system

    The USCG began converting its HH-60Js to MH-60Ts in January 2007, according to Coast Guard publications. This avionics and capabilities upgrade is part of the USCGs Integrated Deepwater System Program and will provide a glass cockpit, an enhanced electro-optic/infrared sensor system as well as a radar sensor system and airborne use of force capability. The airborne use of force package includes both weapons for firing warning and disabling shots and armor to protect the aircrew from small arms fire. All 42 aircraft are scheduled to be upgraded by 2015.

    According to a website devoted to defense procurement issues, a brand-new MH-60T goes for $40 million and the reburbished version for about half that.