US Coast Guard High Frequency Emergency Network (HFEN) implementation plan

In the event of national disasters or emergencies. The Coast Guard HFEN will provide minimum essential communications required to support critical command, control, and communications functions and operational command decisions without the use of telephones, teletypes, and data network systems. An overview of the U.S. Coast Guard's approach to development and implementation of the needed system is presented. It has selected an alternative for implementation that builds on existing HF facilities, which rates highest from a combined coast and performance perspective of all the alternatives considered. Life cycle costs were developed for four configuration alternatives, and ranged from $1.1M to $4.1M. The implementation strategy is also described, focusing on its four key phases: (1) evaluation and design; (2) procurement; (3) installation; and (4) operation.