Two More Helos Will Join The Force Over The Next Two Years

American Eurocopter delivered another AS350B3 helicopter to the Miami-Dade Police Department's (MDPD) Aviation Unit Thursday. This is the second of four AS350B3s that have been ordered. The aircraft will join the department's Special Patrol Bureau's Aviation Unit that includes a fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft. The first AS350B3 was delivered last December and the MDPD will continue to receive helicopters at a rate of one a year over the next two years.
 
The MDPD Aviation Unit chose the AS350B3 as the aircraft to rejuvenate the MDPD fleet and to meet the expanding mission scope and security needs of Miami-Dade county and the south Florida region.
 
 "The AS350B3 has given us the power, reliability and flexibility to meet our evolving mission platform," said Sergeant Tom Turpin, pilot with the Special Patrol Bureau's Aviation Unit. "With its advanced technology and adaptability, this helicopter delivers the capabilities we need to patrol our area and meet the security needs of our region."

As with many airborne law enforcement organizations throughout the country, the mission platform of the MDPD Aviation Unit has evolved 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.

The AS350B3 is powered by a 847 shp Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 engine. The AS350 family serves 75 police 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).

"Our first AS350B3 has proven itself to be an indispensable part of our fleet and we are looking forward to working this second aircraft into our mission schedule," continued Turpin.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com