The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will later this year take delivery of the first H125 to be produced on Airbus Helicopters’ assembly line in Columbus, Mississippi.
Airbus Helicopters had previously used the facility to build UH-72A Lakotas for the US Army, but in late 2013 announced that it would add the light single-engined H125 to the plant’s output in order to cut lead times.
Production of the H125 – formerly the AS350 B3e – began at Columbus towards the end of 2014.
Delivery and service entry for OSHP’s Turbomeca Arriel 2D-powered helicopter will take place later this year.
Already operating a pair of AS350 B2s, OHSP is eager to get its hands on the latest variant, says Capt Randy Boggs of the force’s aviation section. “Our new H125 will give us increased power and useful load, along with additional safety features. We are looking forward to placing our new helicopter into service later this year.”
Source: FlightGlobal.com
