Airbus Helicopters Inc H175 bid to NYPD
 

Well Airbus Helicopters Inc proposing pair of H175 to NYPD Aviation unit for the SAR , (replacing older Bell 412) . Seeming as HKGFS is the only parapublic operator at this time, just wondering how it will pan out. Though admittedly looks nice in NYPD colors with the artists impression.

https://www.airbus.com/us/en/newsroo...-the-H175.html


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ff3abe5d2f.jpg
cheers

I'd imagine the Bell 525 and some version of the S-70 might be proposed. Some of the NYC hierarchy might remember the response they received from Sikorsky on 9/11. when no one else seemed interested.

Which police force would you rather fly with on their new machines?

https://verticalmag.com/press-releas...viation-fleet/

Apr. 2, Robinson Helicopter Company delivered R66 Police Helicopter serial number 1025 to Florida’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
https://assets.verticalmag.com/wp-co...1-1024x672.jpgPCSO’s R66 police helicopter is the first R66 police helicopter configured with a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR imaging system and an HD infrared sensor. Robinson PhotoPCSO’s R66 police helicopter is the first R66 police helicopter configured with a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR imaging system and an HD infrared sensor, a system widely used by homeland security and law enforcement agencies. In addition to a standard Spectrolab SX-7 Starsun searchlight system, PCSO’s R66 includes an optional Aerocomputers UC-6000 digital mapping system, auxiliary fuel tank, impact resistant windshield, Garmin’s G500H TXi 1060 flight display with synthetic vision, and NVG-rated instruments for a future NVG certification.

PCSO air support flies on average 1,100 hours each year. Centrally located between Orlando and Tampa, PSCO provides air support for every law enforcement agency in its 2,000 square mile county as well as surrounding counties.

“Having a robust aviation unit is critical to our mission of keeping people safe. We are thrilled to add the Robinson R66 turbine helicopter to our aviation fleet. Not only is this aircraft a great asset to law enforcement, it allows us to cost effectively support and protect our citizens better than other options out there,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

The Robinson is being added to a fleet that has MD500s and OH-58s in it so those 1100 hours are not being thrust upon the one airframe. I was guess that the acquisition is to replace the OH-58s which must be very tired airframes by now and an economic option. It remains to be seen whether Polk choose to buy more when other airframes grow too old to support .... or whether they have their MD500s rebuilt into 530s.

Hope they also work out they’re going to need about 400lbs of ballast up front to stay in CoG with full fuel. Just ask the Babcock pilots operating them north of Australia.

Easy fix with a 200lb EO/IR system hanging off the nose.

The bigger question is why would NYPD need a machine of this class, and is it worth switching out of newly all-Bell fleet? Didn't Bell give NYPD a great deal on the 429's to take the old AW119's off their hands?

You can tell your Badcock buddies that the para-public variant will not be in O&G fit ;-)

Maybe so, just pointing out it is very tail heavy. You would think with a clean sheet design that it would have been avoided somewhat.

that's what comes of putting a 'proper' engine in a toy helicopter :E

I think they were referring to the 175, crab. Or maybe the 525. Certainly not the 66.

Ah, Havick didn't make that clear.

It is a 175 thread after all :)

yes, I was confused by the comment coming after the R66 photo :ok:

I have the same question, the 175 is quite a step up from the 412 in terms of weight, cabin size, and cost.

From the Airbus Helicopters perspective, what else do they have to offer? The H145 is basically comparable to the 429s as a large light twin, the medium twin H160 is brand new (would NYPD want to be the ALE/SAR launch customer?), which leaves the H175 as the slightly overkill but only viable option.

Or is this being driven by the bid requirements from NYPD? Not having read the bid, maybe NYPD is asking for capabilities that require a larger aircraft. Maybe they want to be able to carry all the toys all the time (see LA County Sheriff and their AS332s)

It's puzzling indeed. LASD's mission requirements are quite different... substantially larger geographical area, frequent hoist rescues, frequent patient transports, hot-and-high capability. NYPD doesn't share those same needs.

Would an AW139 like Maryland State Police not be a more logical solution?

One of MSP's main missions is HEMS. Not the case with NYPD.

The French Gendamarie are airborne law enforcement launch customer for the H160 with deliveries in 2023.

https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises...23-866397.html

Cheers

Wouldnt surprise me if Leonardo is offering the AW139 and or AW169..

cheers

Does it matter that this aircraft has never been type certificated in the U.S. (FAA)?