Airbus
Airbus H175
Airbus Helicopters said Wednesday it submitted a bid to the New York Police Department' for two new helicopters to partially replace its aging fleet.
Airbus Helicopters, based in Grand Prairie, said it responded to the department's request for proposal with a bid to sell it the company's advanced search and rescue H175 helicopters.
“Airbus is honored to have the opportunity to present the capabilities of the H175 to this iconic customer as they make an informed decision as to the best possible path forward to protect and serve the citizens of New York who count on them,” Treg Manning, vice president of sales and marketing at Airbus Helicopters, said in a release.
“Not only do they need a helicopter that will be a responsible neighbor in the skies with a low sound footprint, they need versatility, reliability, performance, and the most modern technologies integrating key safety features right into the helicopter – they’d get all of this, and more, in the H175.”
NYPD is responsible for missions that include surveillance, search and rescue, counter terrorism, SWAT, medical evacuation, high rise rescue, and firefighting. The award announcement is expected later this year, Airbus Helicopters said.
The H175 is a twin-engine helicopter that can accommodate up to two pilots and 18 passengers, and is "well-suited to perform a wide range of public service missions such as search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services, law enforcement, and firefighting as well as land and maritime border control operations," Airbus Helicopters said.
The aircraft has more than 20 cabin configurations "that can be easily interchanged based on mission requirements."
“As a former police service member, I know how important it is for our nation’s law enforcement to be able to serve and protect in the specific ways that their communities need,” Ron Kelley, airborne law enforcement segment manager at Airbus Helicopters, said.
“Serving and protecting in New York City means having the ability to perform rescues and evacuations in a busy urban setting, to operate in a maritime environment, and to be ready to fly at a moment’s notice."
The H175 is one of the quietest aircraft in its class, Airbus said. Airbus Helicopters estimates it has nearly a 65% market share of helicopters sold into the North American market.
Airbus Helicopters has a total of more than 725 employees at production and completion facilities for the H125 and UH-72 Lakota aircraft in Columbus, Miss., and training, aftermarket support, and technical assistance in Grand Prairie.