Atlanta to acquire new police helicopters

The purchases – for two MD 530F helicopters, as well as for the refurbishment of an MD500E helicopter built in 2001 – were approved by the council to Monday 21 November, according to a report by Fox 5 Atlanta. They have now been sent to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to be signed off.

The acquisitions, covering all three aircraft and all necessary equipment, is expected to total just over US$10.4 million.

The decision was prompted by a briefing from the Atlanta Police Department’s Chief Administrative Officer, Peter Aman, who highlighted to the council that the helicopters were available to purchase following the cancellation of an order.

Currently, the Atlanta Police aviation unit operates a fleet of rotorcraft that is nearly 50 years old, and is composed of units from three separate manufacturers. In addition to lowering the age of the helicopter fleet, the acquisitions will also standardize the fleet under a single manufacturer – reducing maintenance costs and timescales.

Elsewhere, the police department of Columbus, Ohio announced that it was looking to sell a Bell 407GXi helicopter approved for purchase in November 2019, which has never seen active use.