The Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) will soon become the first
law enforcement agency in the United States to operate the versatile
twin-engine Airbus Helicopters H145.
The department’s Air
Support unit will use the new H145 primarily for high-altitude
rescues in mountainous regions of Nevada. LVMPD performs about 170
such rescues each year.
“We fly in some
extremely harsh conditions, and we need a helicopter that excels in
a grueling hot and high density altitude environment,” LVMPD Chief
Pilot Steve Morris Jr.
said. “The H145 checks all of the boxes for us.”
To select the H145,
LVMPD conducted an in-depth review of all helicopters that met its
mission and cost requirements. Airbus Helicopters Inc. then provided
an on-site, three-day demonstration of the aircraft during peak
summer heat at or near max gross weight. Morris said the aircraft
met or exceeded all expectations.
In addition to
high-altitude rescues, LVMPD will also use the helicopter to
transport specialized officers to scenes in the Las Vegas valley and
unincorporated areas of the county as needed. The H145 is equipped
with the Wescam MX-10 camera system, Churchill ARS mapping system,
SX-16 night sun and MacroBlue monitor for specialized police and
rescue missions.
This is LVMPD’s first
Airbus aircraft, which Morris said is expected to go into service
after pilots and search-and-rescue officers complete transition
training.
“We’re proud
supporters of the U.S. law enforcement community delivering 61
percent of parapublic helicopters to the U.S. market since 2007.
LVMPD is at the forefront of the community with its decision to
select the H145,” said Treg
Manning, Vice President of
Airbus Helicopters Inc.
The Airbus
Helicopters H145 leads the light twin-engine helicopter market,
incorporating an innovative Helionix avionics suite (also found on
the H135, H160 and H175) and 4-axis autopilot. The aircraft’s
combination of speed and performance, along with the fenestron tail
rotor, large cabin and rear-loading clamshell doors, makes it an
appealing choice for law enforcement customers. |