NPAS phases out last Explorer

The UK National Police Air Service’s (NPAS) has announced that last of the its six MD Explorer helicopters will be taken out of service by the end of March and replaced with EC135s. The service said that this is part of its wider streamlining process.

The conversion to the new aircraft began last year. The last Explorer, based in the service’s Carr Gate base in Wakefield, has already begun its deactivation, with the crew at the base gaining familiarity with the new model. The service has praised the EC135’s equipment, including the new Nitesun spotlight and digital microwave downlink.

Air support will be provided from surrounding bases whilst the crew at Carr Gate is offline.