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Law enforcement

American Eurocopter is the leading supplier of law enforcement helicopters in the United States, maintaining a strong market share over the past decade.  It is a trusted partner to the law enforcement community, supplying aircraft to over 75 local and federal government agencies throughout the nation.

American Eurocopter offers the broadest range of law enforcement platforms, beginning with the single-engine EC120.  This versatile and cost-effective platform enjoys one of the lowest noise signatures available, making it ideal for surveillance missions.  The EC120 also offers excellent maneuverability, unmatched visibility and comprehensive safety features. 

The EC120 serves with the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol as the agency’s new Light Sign Cutter platform, and is also operated by the police departments of Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore City, Fresno, Miami Dade, Newport Beach and San Jose, plus sheriff’s departments in Manatee County, Sacramento County and Santa Clara County.

The AS350 AStar is the most popular law enforcement helicopter in the U.S., accounting for over a third of deliveries over the past decade.  The AS350 B2 is well-known for its all-round versatility, with the more powerful AS350 B3 variant renowned for its enhanced hot & high performance.  Both models benefit from the enhanced safety and reduced workload offered by the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) and First Limit Indicator (FLI), which substantially reduce pilot workload.

Capable of mounting a wide range of sensors, searchlights, hoists and mission gear, the AS350 serves with some of the nation’s best known airborne law enforcement operators, including the California Highway Patrol; the Los Angeles Police Department; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department;  the Texas Department of Public Safety;  and U.S. Customs & Border Protection.
 
The AS350 and the twin-engined AS355N are operated by police departments across the USA, including Anaheim, Baltimore County, Dekalb County, East Bay, Massachusetts, Memphis, Ontario, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Suffolk County and Washington DC, plus sheriff’s departments in Bernalillo County, Broward County, Citrus County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Oakland County, Orange County, Pinellas County, Riverside County, Salt Lake County, San Bernardino and Seminole County. Other AStar operators include the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Utah State Highway Patrol.

American Eurocopter’s EC130 shares the same powerful engine as the AS350B3, but adds a larger, reprofiled cockpit and a Fenestron® anti-torque system. The EC130, which is easily reconfigurable as a spacious air ambulance, is utilized by the Long Beach Police Department and Broward County Sheriff's Office.

The EC135 is one of the most popular twin-engine law enforcement helicopters worldwide, combining excellent twin-engine performance with a low noise signature and extensive mission fit options.  The EC135’s unobstructed cabin, large rear clamshell doors and flat floor offer rapid mission re-roling.

The American Eurocopter EC145 is perhaps best-known as the basis of the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, with a total of 345 being acquired of which are now entering service to perform a range of missions including homeland security.

The EC145 also is operated by a number of U.S. parapublic and law enforcement agencies, including the Suffolk County Police Department.  The twin-engine EC145 offers a state-of-the-art glass cockpit, an unobstructed cabin with rear clamshell doors, a low noise signature and a wide range of mission options, including hoists, sensors and firefighting equipment.

The twin-engine AS365 is famous for its long track record of safe and reliable service with two well-known parapublic operators: Maryland State Police, which employs eleven of the type, and the U.S. Coast Guard, which now operates over 100 of the upgraded HH-65C Dolphin variants. The latest AS365 N3 offers the ultimate in rapid response for airborne law enforcement operators, combining a smooth ride and low noise signature with exceptional performance and safety. The AS365 N3 can be equipped with a wide range of mission gear, or quickly reconfigured for air ambulance duties.

• Download the Eurocopter: The "Force Multiplier" in Law Enforcement brochure (.PDF/ 2.73 MB)

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