Expects Up To 50 More AS350B3s To Customs & Border Protection

American Eurocopter LLC, a subsidiary of EADS North America, announced this week it has been awarded a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to provide US Customs and Border Protection with additional AS350B3s.

The contract is an "Indefinite Quantity/ Indefinite Delivery" contract, with a base year and four-one year options. American Eurocopter expects orders of up to 50 additional AS350B3s to the US CBP through the life of the contract. CBP already has 48 Eurocopter AS350s and 15 EC120s, with five additional EC120s on order.

The latest contract has the potential to total over $150 million. US Customs and Border Protection has requested an aggressive delivery schedule with an initial order of 17 AS350B3s, to be produced at American Eurocopter’s Mississippi facility. The first helicopter is to be delivered in 2009 with a target delivery schedule of one AS350B3 every 45 days when rate production is achieved.

"We are extremely pleased to have been chosen to expand our longstanding relationship with the Department of Homeland Security," said Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter President and CEO. "This award shows confidence in the performance and reliability of our AS350B3 and our company. We are proud to provide aircraft to the US Customs and Border Protection, the US Army and other federal, state and local agencies tasked with protecting our country and its citizens."

The AS350 is in service with 75 agencies across the nation, including major federal operators such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). American Eurocopter rotary wing aircraft also are flown by the US Coast Guard, state and local law enforcement agencies and emergency medical response units nationwide.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com, www.cbp.gov