Phoenix Police Department orders Airbus H145 to expand airborne operations
The Arizona-based police department has ordered an Airbus H145, adding twin-engine capability to support complex law enforcement and search and rescue missions
Phoenix Police Department in Arizona has ordered a new Airbus H145 helicopter as part of an effort to expand and modernize one of the largest airborne law enforcement fleets in the USA.
The aircraft, supplied by Davenport Aviation, will complement the department’s existing fleet of Airbus H125 helicopters by introducing a twin-engine platform capable of supporting a wide range of public safety missions, including search and rescue (SAR), tactical operations, and law enforcement response.
Operating across the Phoenix metropolitan area presents unique challenges for aviation units, with aircraft routinely flying in extreme temperatures, mountainous terrain, and a combination of densely populated urban and remote desert environments. The H145 has been selected to enhance operational flexibility while providing additional capability for demanding missions.
According to Davenport Aviation, delivery of the helicopter is expected in the fourth quarter of 2028. Aircraft completion and mission equipment integration will be carried out by Hangar One Avionics in Carlsbad, California, before the aircraft enters operational service.
Chris Arnold, Director of Government Sales at Davenport Aviation, said: “The H145 is an exceptional platform for the demanding missions Phoenix performs every day, and we’re proud to help deliver an aircraft that will serve the department and its community for years to come.”
For Airbus, the H145 has become an established platform within the public safety sector, with operators valuing its payload capacity, cabin flexibility, and performance in challenging operating environments. The aircraft is widely used worldwide by emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, and SAR organizations.
Davenport Aviation, an authorized Airbus reseller to the US government, said it would manage the acquisition process through to delivery, while Hangar One Avionics will equip the aircraft with mission-specific systems to meet the Phoenix Police Department’s operational requirements.
The announcement follows continued investment by US public safety agencies in next-generation airborne capabilities, with operators increasingly seeking aircraft that can support multiple mission profiles while improving operational resilience and crew safety.
Back in December, Davenport Aviation also delivered the first of two new Airbus H125 helicopters to Erie County Sheriff’s Office in the US state of New York.