Bell 407GXi customized for US county police department

Paradigm Aerospace Corporation (PAC International) has completed the customization of a new Bell 407GXi for the Anne Arundel County, US, Police Aviation Unit.

The helicopter has been outfitted to law enforcement configuration, including an enlarged instrument panel, polycarbonate windshields, a nightscanner searchlight, rappel and fast rope insertion systems, and cabin sliding doors.

PAC also installed Aero Dynamix supplemental night vision imaging system lighting, Garmin traffic, XM weather and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B), Eagle digital audio system, Rhotheta Direction Finder, and TDFM9100/APX8500 tactical communications system.

Supplementing a fleet of six

The Anne Arudel Police Aviation Unit launched with a fleet of six Bell Jet Ranger helicopters from the US Department of Defense.

Marty Blough, PAC Completion and Project Manager, commented: “It was a real pleasure working with Sgt Shannon Mack and other personnel from the County on this completion. Having supported their operation for years, it was a privilege to work with them on the details of this new mission platform.”

Although helicopter deployment has been a vital part of aerial law enforcement, the UK has started a revamp of its National Police Air Service, with one former senior police official commenting: “Easy and accessible drone technology is making a standing national fleet less viable year on year.”