Dassault Aviation
Dassault HU-25 Guardian
The Dassault HU‑25 Guardian is a twin‑engine jet patrol aircraft developed by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in the early 1970s. Derived from the Falcon 20 business jet, the type first flew on 20 June 1972 and entered service with the United States Coast Guard in 1974, where it received the designation HU‑25. Over the next three decades more than 100 aircraft were built and operated, primarily for maritime surveillance, search‑and‑rescue, drug interdiction, and environmental monitoring missions.
Key features include a pressurised cabin, dual Pratt & Whitney JT15D‑4 turbofan engines delivering 2,500 lbf thrust each, and a maximum speed of Mach 0.78. The aircraft’s modular interior can accommodate a wide array of sensors: surface search radar, infrared/electro‑optical cameras, electronic intelligence suites, and a data‑link for real‑time transmission. Its long‑range capability—over 2,000 nautical miles—and low operating cost make it well suited for extended over‑water patrols.
The HU‑25 Guardian’s significance lies in its demonstration that a commercial jet platform could be adapted effectively for military and coast‑guard roles, influencing later designs such as the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maritime. Its decades‑long service record helped improve maritime domain awareness and set standards for flexible, cost‑efficient surveillance aircraft worldwide.
Key features include a pressurised cabin, dual Pratt & Whitney JT15D‑4 turbofan engines delivering 2,500 lbf thrust each, and a maximum speed of Mach 0.78. The aircraft’s modular interior can accommodate a wide array of sensors: surface search radar, infrared/electro‑optical cameras, electronic intelligence suites, and a data‑link for real‑time transmission. Its long‑range capability—over 2,000 nautical miles—and low operating cost make it well suited for extended over‑water patrols.
The HU‑25 Guardian’s significance lies in its demonstration that a commercial jet platform could be adapted effectively for military and coast‑guard roles, influencing later designs such as the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maritime. Its decades‑long service record helped improve maritime domain awareness and set standards for flexible, cost‑efficient surveillance aircraft worldwide.
Classification
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Dassault Aviation
- Developer
- Dassault Aviation
- Nickname
- Guardian
- Military Designation
- HU-25
- Operator
-
United States Coast Guard
- Wikidata ID
- Q104698251