LA County Sheriff's Department Purchases 12 AS350 B2 Helicopters

Maybe not when it comes to helos. But still, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has purchased 12 AS350 B2 helicopters. In making the announcement Tuesday, American Eurocopter said the helicopters will be placed into service with the department's Aero Bureau as part of an upgrade plan for its current fleet. The order also has provisions for options that would allow the department to add two additional helicopters in the future to meet the deployment levels needed to help ensure the safety of department personnel and the surrounding community. 

"This order confirms the AS350 as the helicopter of choice for law enforcement agencies throughout the United States," said Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. "Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's new fleet of AS350 B2s will certainly set the standard as the most technologically advanced helicopters in law enforcement."

The Aero Bureau's current fleet of 12 AS350 B2s has been serving the county since 2003. The purchase of these new helicopters will allow the Aero Bureau to update its fleet to the latest technology offering the performance and reliability to meet the department's expanding mission scope.

"Our law enforcement role throughout the county has increased. To get to where we need to be to protect our citizens and perform our missions, our mission equipment needed to be replaced," explained Captain Louis Duran, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau.

"We have a familiarity with the AS350 B2. We know the strength of its performance and its maintenance," continued Duran. "The AS350 B2 has exceeded our mission profile and it just made sense to upgrade to new helicopters," continued Duran. He also explained that with these new helicopters the department's capabilities will be enhanced with night vision, laser pointing, advanced mapping and tracking, as well other technologies that will be added during the completion of the helicopters.

The AS350 - AStar is powered by a 732 shp Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine, with room for six plus pilot and a sling capacity of more than 2,555 lbs. Eurocopter says the AS350 is adaptable for the full range of law enforcement missions from special operations to emergency medevacs.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau provides vital support to all law enforcement missions as a true force-multiplier and is recognized worldwide as a leader in tactical aviation law enforcement services. With the use of advanced technology systems that include Forward Looking Infrared (F.L.I.R.), multi-band digital radio systems, Global Positioning Mapping System, and Down-Link video feed, air crews provide real time proactive support to law enforcement personnel and Command Operation Centers. Air crews also provide transportation for specialized units such as S.E.B., K-9, Arson Explosives Detail Unit, or any other support unit that requires rapid and immediate deployment to a location.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com