One More Aircraft To Head To MDPD Later This Year

A third AS350 B3 helicopter was delivered to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Aviation Unit Monday. This is the third of four AS350 B3’s that have been ordered by the agency from American Eurocopter. The first was delivered in 2008, and the MDPD will receive their fourth aircraft later this year.

“The AS350 series gives Law Enforcement agencies the ability to equip their helicopters with an ever-expanding suite of mission equipment without pushing the limits of performance,” says Ed Van Winkle, American Eurocopter’s Law Enforcement Market Manager. The MDPD aircraft are equipped with a thermal imager, searchlight, moving map system, video downlink and tactical platforms for tactical team transport and deployment. American Eurocopter also delivered each helicopter with a night vision goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit, in addition to providing NVG training for all MDPD pilots.

The mission platform of the MDPD Aviation Unit has evolved in recent years to support additional initiatives in the Miami-Dade county and surrounding region. These include Homeland Security initiatives as well as port security and coverage for key county infrastructures. This aircraft will support those efforts and join the department’s Special Patrol Bureau’s Aviation Unit that includes a fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

The AS350 B3 is a single-engine helicopter powered by a 847 shp Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 engine. The AS350 family has established itself as the preferred platform for U.S. law enforcement agencies across the nation, including major federal operators such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

FMI: www.eurocopter.com