Will Be Equipped With FLIR, And 'Picture In Picture'

Eurocopter tells ANN the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands signed a contract November 28 for six Eurocopter EC135 P2i light twin-engine helicopters for the Dutch Police, KLPD (Korps landelijke politiediensten). The aircraft are to be delivered between mid-2009 and the end of 2009, and will replace the BO105s presently in service with KLPD.

The new EC135 police helicopters for the Dutch police are equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines, offering a maximum takeoff weight of 6,400 lbs, and seating capacity for one pilot and 6/7 crew or two pilots and 5/6 crew. With night-vision goggle compatible cockpits, the EC135 is capable of night-flight operations and is certified for single pilot IFR flight.

For the KLPD’s specific missions, the helicopters will be fitted with FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera, a video downlink system and a 20-inch operator screen with "picture in picture" system.

With a global market share of 80 percent, the EC135 has not only established itself internationally as the leading new-generation light twin-engine helicopter in the air rescue sector, according to Eurocopter, but has also conquered the market for police and law enforcement missions. More than 140 EC135s are currently in police and law enforcement services worldwide, which equates to a market share of 60 percent in this class.

In total, more than 600 EC135s have been delivered to customers since its market introduction in 1996.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com