THE US Border Patrol, has taken delivery of five Bell Helicopter Textron UH-1 utility rotorcraft, powered by Light Helicopter Turbine Engine's T800 turboprop engines.
The re-engine UH-1s, delivered on 14 July, are on a one-year loan from the US Department of Defense.
After testing the combination, a decision will be made as to whether the programme will be extended. A successful trial could lead to fielding of a further 21 re-engine UH-1s, but funding would have to be found.
The UH-1s will be used by the federal law-enforcement agency to intercept both illegal border-crossers and illicit drugs.
The helicopters, which will be maintained by civilian contractor Dyncorp under contract to the US Army, will be stationed at three Border Patrol locations in El Paso, Texas, and Yuma and Tucson, Arizona.
Source: Flight International
