Philadelphia PD gets Airbus AS350 AStar helicopter

Grand Prairie, Texas – The Philadelphia Police Department has taken delivery of the first of two new Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 AStar helicopters, becoming the latest in a long and growing list of U.S. law enforcement agencies to utilize this high-performance aircraft produced by Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI).

 

“We’re very happy with the completion of our first helicopter,” said Capt. Kenneth O’Brien, head of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Aviation Unit. “We’ll be a more capable aviation unit with this upgraded aircraft.”

 

Philadelphia police will utilize the new helicopter for general patrol duties, harbor and coastal patrol, rescue missions, and SWAT team insertions. With the additional power and capability of the AS350B2, the police department will now be able to perform hoist rescue missions. The helicopter will also be used for homeland security and port security missions. 

 

The AS350 series offers modern safety features, including energy-attenuating seats and dual-screen vehicle and engine multifunction display.

 

Airbus Helicopters’ AS350 line, used by more than 220 U.S. law enforcement agencies, is built and certified by Airbus Helicopters Inc., the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, in Columbus, Miss. The AS350 helicopter cruises at 133kts and has a range of up to 360nm with the power of its 732shp Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. 

 

Source: Airbus Helicopters Inc.