The US Customs and Border Protection service's Air and Marine (A&M) branch has begun service trials with its first two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, with the aircraft now participating in maritime enforcement missions from Homestead, Florida.
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© US Customs and Border Protection |
During an operational test and evaluation phase to last up to 12 months, the aircraft will also later this year be deployed to the US-Canadian border area to perform winter conditions trials.
Customs will then determine which missions and locations the AW139 is best suited for and how many additional aircraft are required.
"The AW139 medium-lift helicopters will strengthen A&M's ability to transport law enforcement personnel and provide surveillance in support of Homeland security operations in challenging environments," says A&M assistant commissioner Michael Kostelnik.
The first two examples are equipped with a mission package integrated by L-3 Communications in Waco, Texas, including an electro-optical/infrared sensor combined with a laser designator, plus a multi-mode weather radar, searchlight and communications suite including satellite communications links.
The current A&M rotary fleet includes Eurocopter AS350s, EC120s and Sikorsky UH-60s.
Source: Flight International
