Eurocopter Wins Border Patrol Contract
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Eurocopter Wins Border Patrol Contract
Date 10/4/2004
American Eurocopter Wins $75 Million U.S. Border Patrol Contract To Support the Department of Homeland Security
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter - a subsidiary of Eurocopter, the largest manufacturer of commercial helicopters in the world - and EADS North America announced on Monday that the company has been awarded a contract by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to supply more than 55 aircraft to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. The value of the award is potentially $75 million over the five-year term of the contract.
American Eurocopter will use the EC-120 for the Law Enforcement Equipped Single Engine Light Observation Helicopters – or “Light Sign Cutter” fleet. The single-engine turbine EC120 is the quietest helicopter in its class, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly helicopters that can be flown in some of the wildlife areas contained within the Border Patrol’s area of operation. The aircraft offers excellent endurance, unmatched cabin visibility and compliance with energy attenuating capability. The EC120 offers excellent value to the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, more than 380 EC120 aircraft are in operation worldwide.
The Light Sign Cutter fleet of more than 55 EC120 aircraft will be produced in Mississippi at the company’s second and newest manufacturing facility in Columbus, adjacent to the Golden Triangle Airport.
The U.S. Border Patrol’s primary consideration in making the selection was to procure a helicopter that was technically compliant with its mission requirements. The light observation helicopter fleet will provide low-level surveillance and security patrol of U.S. borders to detect, interdict and apprehend persons either trying to illegally enter the United States or conduct illegal activity along U.S. borders. The majority of the U.S. Border Patrol’s current light observation fleet consists of Vietnam-era surplus helicopters that are slated for replacement by the EC120.
The Department of Homeland Security currently operates 96 helicopters (HH-65 Dolphin) for the U.S. Coast Guard and 44 AS350 AStar light utility helicopters.
“We have been working with the Department of Homeland Security for more than 16 years, and they are our largest para-public customer,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO, American Eurocopter. “I am pleased that we have established a track record of excellence, and are able to continue and expand our relationship with the DHS – and support the business of protecting America.”
Ralph D. Crosby Jr., Chairman and CEO EADS North America, member of the EADS N.V. Executive Committee said: “We are pleased and proud of this competitive award. This award builds upon the great success our aircraft have enjoyed in the law-enforcement and para-public communities in the United States. With this contract we will honor our commitment to providing best value products to the U.S. government, and also importantly, our commitment to provide jobs and growth in the Columbus, Mississippi community.”
American Eurocopter Wins $75 Million U.S. Border Patrol Contract To Support the Department of Homeland Security
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter - a subsidiary of Eurocopter, the largest manufacturer of commercial helicopters in the world - and EADS North America announced on Monday that the company has been awarded a contract by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to supply more than 55 aircraft to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. The value of the award is potentially $75 million over the five-year term of the contract.
American Eurocopter will use the EC-120 for the Law Enforcement Equipped Single Engine Light Observation Helicopters – or “Light Sign Cutter” fleet. The single-engine turbine EC120 is the quietest helicopter in its class, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly helicopters that can be flown in some of the wildlife areas contained within the Border Patrol’s area of operation. The aircraft offers excellent endurance, unmatched cabin visibility and compliance with energy attenuating capability. The EC120 offers excellent value to the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, more than 380 EC120 aircraft are in operation worldwide.
The Light Sign Cutter fleet of more than 55 EC120 aircraft will be produced in Mississippi at the company’s second and newest manufacturing facility in Columbus, adjacent to the Golden Triangle Airport.
The U.S. Border Patrol’s primary consideration in making the selection was to procure a helicopter that was technically compliant with its mission requirements. The light observation helicopter fleet will provide low-level surveillance and security patrol of U.S. borders to detect, interdict and apprehend persons either trying to illegally enter the United States or conduct illegal activity along U.S. borders. The majority of the U.S. Border Patrol’s current light observation fleet consists of Vietnam-era surplus helicopters that are slated for replacement by the EC120.
The Department of Homeland Security currently operates 96 helicopters (HH-65 Dolphin) for the U.S. Coast Guard and 44 AS350 AStar light utility helicopters.
“We have been working with the Department of Homeland Security for more than 16 years, and they are our largest para-public customer,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO, American Eurocopter. “I am pleased that we have established a track record of excellence, and are able to continue and expand our relationship with the DHS – and support the business of protecting America.”
Ralph D. Crosby Jr., Chairman and CEO EADS North America, member of the EADS N.V. Executive Committee said: “We are pleased and proud of this competitive award. This award builds upon the great success our aircraft have enjoyed in the law-enforcement and para-public communities in the United States. With this contract we will honor our commitment to providing best value products to the U.S. government, and also importantly, our commitment to provide jobs and growth in the Columbus, Mississippi community.”
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"light sign cutter" sounds like a garbled babel fish translation of some german phrase. I tried to translate an English web site once and it came up as they manufactured bright helicopters instead of light helicopters. EC has had a 55% market share of the civil market so far this year .
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sign cutter
Actually, the term "sign cutting" is used to describe the process of tracking human "sign" (ie footprints, broken limbs, grass trails, sand trails, etc) to detect entry in the U.S. Old terminology. I would like to hear from current EC 120 pilots as to their opinion of the aircraft
F6
F6
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You can bet that Bell and MD are right p****d off about this and should the S92 not make it as the Presidential helicopter the USA helicopter market could collapse. Agusta are in there as well as a significant provider.
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http://www.eurocopterusa.com/Home/
As Robinson are not on the pie diagram I assume it is for turbine only , also does not say if pie is dollars or units shipped , still impressive though.
As Robinson are not on the pie diagram I assume it is for turbine only , also does not say if pie is dollars or units shipped , still impressive though.
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Fox6,
The 120 is a good little aircraft.Fast, quiet and reliable it has a bit more power than the older 500C.It does however effect the performance drasticly when it gets real hot outside. An aircon is also a good thing to have with all that perspecs around.
Its not as smooth as a AStar and has a slight high freq vibration(atleast all the ones I've flown)
I'm curious on why they didn't rather go with the AStar B2?
The 120 is a good little aircraft.Fast, quiet and reliable it has a bit more power than the older 500C.It does however effect the performance drasticly when it gets real hot outside. An aircon is also a good thing to have with all that perspecs around.
Its not as smooth as a AStar and has a slight high freq vibration(atleast all the ones I've flown)
I'm curious on why they didn't rather go with the AStar B2?
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Perfect machine should handle the conditions real well, particulary if they only carry two or three crew, i think the limit is 45 degC, which I operated in all the time but they will feel the the struggle over 30 deg C, i was supperised at the way the TR Fenestron blades stood up to sand and the like.
Is it sea level out there?
Once you get them going they are a great machine.
Is it sea level out there?
Once you get them going they are a great machine.
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Capn Notarious,
I'm guessing that either you don't have alot of experience in 120s or B2 AStars, Squirrels(call them what you like) or you've flown a 120 with a awesome FENESTRON
Our B2 has always outperformed the 120 with tailrotor authority
Might it be something to do with not wanting the blades in free space
Plus the fenestrated tail rotor gives a better anti torque response?
I'm guessing that either you don't have alot of experience in 120s or B2 AStars, Squirrels(call them what you like) or you've flown a 120 with a awesome FENESTRON
Our B2 has always outperformed the 120 with tailrotor authority
