11-Jul-2014 Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Inc.(AHI) has delivered a fourth EC135T2+ twin engine helicopter to the Massachusetts State Police, further demonstrating the company’s strong leadership position in the U.S. law enforcement helicopter market for both single engine and twine engine aircraft.
Massachusetts State Police selected the EC135 in 2009as the replacement aircraft for their existing fleet of Airbus Helicopters AS355s. Deployment of the four EC135’s significantly increases the capabilities of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing by providing the agency with highly versatile helicopters equipped with advanced thermal imaging, searchlights, moving maps and downlink technology in an IFR platform.
“Our first three EC135’s are serving the citizens of Massachusetts, and we are looking forward to our fourth ship that will be in-service in late 2014 after being completed at Metro Aviation,” said Lt. Rob Smith of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. “We have been flying Airbus Helicopters products since 1987, and they continue to support our state wide operations.”
“Airbus Helicopters Inc. is proud that the Massachusetts State Police has completed their fleet upgrade with the EC135,” said Ed Van Winkle, AHI Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement. “Both Airbus Helicopters light twin models, the EC135 and EC145,are being utilized by numerous law enforcement agencies across the United States for patrol, air medical services, search and rescue, tactical transport and Homeland Security operations. These light twins are highly capable utility machines that continue to perform challenging missions in extreme environments, while keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum.”
The EC135 and EC145 are multi-mission workhorses that account for more than 80 percent of all twin engine helicopters in use with U.S. law enforcement agencies. Representing the German side of the Airbus Helicopters product line, the EC135 and EC145 offer advanced glass cockpits, rigid rotor systems for increasedmaneuverability, low maintenance costs, and numerous mission equipment options for a wide varietyof operations. The new EC145T2, available in late 2014, features the Fenestron® anti-torque system, more powerful FADEC-controlled Arriel 2E engines and the new Helionics cockpit avionics suite.
Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the U.S. leader in helicopter sales to law enforcement agencies with a 56 percent market share over the last decade.AHI will exhibit at Booth 811 during the Airborne Law Enforcement Association Conference in Phoenix, July 16-19.
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.