New LASD Super Pumas unveiled
VIDEO: On 3 October, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Aero Bureau officially unveiled its new Super Puma helicopters. The County of Los Angeles recently approved the acquisition of three previously owned Eurocopter AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters by the Aero Bureau to replace its ageing former US Navy SH-3H Sea Kings.
VIDEO: On 3 October, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Aero Bureau officially unveiled its new Super Puma helicopters. The County of Los Angeles recently approved the acquisition of three previously owned Eurocopter AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters by the Aero Bureau to replace its ageing former US Navy SH-3H Sea Kings.
The LASD said that although smaller in size, the new aircraft can carry the same number of people and will provide a power and capability increase over the outgoing Sea Kings, which will be especially valuable in the high-altitude mountains around Los Angeles County, and will increase the overall safety and capabilities of Air Rescue-5. The LASD estimates that response times will be cut by nearly 30 per cent as a result of the new helicopters being in operation.
Once delivered, the AS332 L1s will receive upgrades including external hoists, nose-mounted forward-looking infrared cameras (a first on a Department rescue helicopter), night-vision compatible cockpits and multi-patient medical interiors. In addition, they will be equipped with avionics including global positioning system/wide area augmentation system navigation capability, instrument flight rules capability, and weather radar, allowing flights to take place in ‘nearly all weather conditions’. For enhanced safety, the helicopter will be equipped with enhanced ground proximity warning system/terrain awareness and warning system, and a flight operational quality assurance programme.
Aero Bureau Captain Louis Duran said: “We are looking forward to the enhanced mission capabilities of the Super Puma helicopter as it relates to our specific LASD law enforcement role and rescue missions. These helicopters are all-weather aircraft, which will allow us to safely deliver our patients more expeditiously to the hospital within the golden hour. The aircraft will also prove itself instrumental, both in rescues and as logistical support in major catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, fire, or a terrorist-related incident.”