|
|
|
| Thursday, July 05, 2007 |
|
London’s new Eye in the Sky: Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit launches three Eurocopter EC145 Helicopters into Service
By FlyingNews @ 3:36 PM :: 379 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
|
 |
In the presence of the Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police Service, Sir Ian Blair, three new Eurocopter EC145 helicopters were officially introduced into service with the Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit on July 4 at its base in Lippitts Hill, Loughton, Essex. Fitted with the most advanced mission equipment, the EC145 will mark a new era in Police Air Support in the United Kingdom.
The Metropolitan Police is a long-standing Eurocopter customer. The three AS355 N “Squirrel” helicopters it has been operating since 1993, and which will be replaced by the EC145s, are also Eurocopter aircraft. Customization of the EC145s was carried out by McAlpine Helicopters Ltd., Eurocopter’s UK distributor in Oxford.
The EC145 is Eurocopter’s latest entry into the light twin-engined helicopter market, providing an excellent combination of proven and new technologies. This modern platform is designed with total multi-mission capability in mind. Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines, the EC145 is capable of carrying one or two pilots and eight or nine passengers.
With a fast cruise speed of 135 kts, an advanced night vision goggle compatible glass cockpit, digital autopilot for both single or dual pilot applications and an endurance of up to 3.5 hours, the EC145 is a top performer in police and homeland security missions. It has also been ordered by the U.S. Army as its new-generation Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).
First Multi-Role Aircraft for any UK Police Force
Whilst the primary role of the new Metropolitan Police EC145 aircraft is surveillance, the inherent flexibility of its cabin, together with its payload/range performance and the roleadaptable mission systems, determines that the aircraft will be capable of many roles.
The advanced police communication suite, the integration of the Wescam MX-15 Electro Optic sensor, the SkyQuest touch screen video management system and the Gigawave digital video link means that the aircraft can operate as a very effective incident command and control platform. But, even when equipped in its specialised observation role, the aircraft still has the capacity to carry a further three officers, or two police dog cages. The rear observer’s workstation can be removed in fifteen minutes thus providing space for up to six additional officers in the main cabin. Even in this utility configuration, the forward police observer (seated in the co-pilot’s position) still maintains control of the entire mission sensor suite and the rear cabin team have full access to all tactical radios and the fold down screen to view any of the available infra-red or TV imagery.
Mission Systems for the Future
The Metropolitan Police’s EC145 represents the first full scale use of the SkyQuest Video Management System in a UK police helicopter. This open architecture, software adaptable system ensures that any operator, from any screen, can exercise complete control allowing, for the first time, true workload optimisation based on a specific mission need.
The aircraft has, during its initial acquisition, been equipped with sufficient video system hardware to allow future sensor upgrades and capability addition as new technologies become available. The EC145 is, therefore, future-proofed by design.
Eurocopter leads Police and Homeland Security Market in the UK and Worldwide
Eurocopter helicopters account for 74% of the existing UK and Ireland police air support market, with the company’s EC135 accounting for 57% of the helicopters deployed in this role. The larger EC145 is a complementary helicopter platform to the EC135, adding a new dimension in terms of multi-role capability and lift capacity in the 3.6 ton class. On a worldwide scale, Eurocopter products account for 59% of all public service / police / law enforcement / medevac / fire-fighting / government VIP transport and homeland security helicopters sold (2006 market share). |
|
|
|
|
| Comments |
Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!
You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here
|
|
|