California Highway Patrol Awards Fleet Replacement Contract to Airbus Helicopters Inc. for up to 15 AS350B3e aircraft
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (PRWEB) September 08, 2014 -- Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract for the purchase of up to 15 AS350B3e AStar helicopters by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The initial order is for three helicopters, with deliveries beginning in December. The contract is for three years, with two one-year options. Other state and local government agencies in California can purchase new AStar helicopters through the contract.
The CHP helicopters will include an advanced avionics and mission equipment suite that enhances crew safety and law enforcement operational capabilities. This suite includes the Garmin G500H electronic flight information system, FLIR Systems 380HDc thermal imager, Spectrolab XP searchlight and the Churchill Augmented Reality System (ARS) moving map system displayed on an Avalex 15-inch HD monitor. Each helicopter will be equipped with a Goodrich 500 pound hoist, a key tool for CHP since it conducts many search and rescue missions. Completion services for this contract will be performed by Hangar One Avionics of Carlsbad, Calif.
“CHP has been operating Airbus Helicopters products for the past 30 years, starting with an AS350B model in 1984. They have flown more than 130,000 hours with their current fleet of 12 AStars,” said Ed Van Winkle, Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement for Airbus Helicopters Inc. “This order to begin replacement of the fleet demonstrates the high level of trust that CHP has in the AStar to perform their wide range of missions.”
Airbus Helicopters’ AS350 series are the most widely purchased helicopters by U.S. law enforcement agencies. More than 220 are in use nationwide with 44 different law enforcement agencies, 75 of them delivered in the last five years. Other state agencies that have recently purchased the AS350B3e include the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Each of these law enforcement operators is a new Airbus Helicopters Inc. customer.
AHI leads the U.S. market in sales of new helicopters to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, with a 56 percent market share over the last decade. The spacious cabin and modern safety features of the AS350 series, including energy-attenuating seats and a Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display, make the AStar an industry leader. The cost-effective AS350B3e is the latest model with modern safety features, high cruise speed and range, and the ability to conduct a wide range of missions. It is built and certified by Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Columbus, Miss.
About Airbus Helicopters Inc.
Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) is the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of the Airbus Group. Airbus Helicopters Inc. is a manufacturer, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered in the U.S. The product line represents the industry’s most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters serving all markets and missions. The company’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.
Bob Cox, Airbus Helicopters Inc., http://www.airbushelicoptersinc.com, +1 (972) 641-3525, [email protected]
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