Rhineland-Palatinate acquires two H145 helicopters for its law enforcement unit.
Rhineland-Palatinate Police Force to Receive Quieter and More Capable Airbus H145 Helicopters
The Rhineland-Palatinate police force is set to receive two new Airbus H145 helicopters, replacing the state's current H135 fleet. The first delivery is scheduled for Q1 2024.
Airbus Helicopters' Managing Director, Wolfgang Schoder, has expressed gratitude towards the Rhineland-Palatinate government for their decision. The new helicopters will be outfitted with highly sophisticated equipment to enhance the mission capabilities of the police force.
The H145, a versatile light twin-engine helicopter, is widely used in law enforcement and public safety missions. Its systems include twin Safran Arriel 2E engines with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix avionics suite, which features a four-axis autopilot to reduce pilot workload. The helicopter’s low noise and emissions profile also make it environmentally friendly and suitable for stealthier operations during law enforcement missions.
A key technical upgrade in the new H145 is the five-bladed rotor system. This system offers several advantages:
- Increased useful load by 150kg: The new rotor allows for more equipment, personnel, or supplies to be carried, enhancing the helicopter's operational capabilities.
- Bearingless main rotor design: This design reduces mechanical complexity, lowering maintenance needs while increasing reliability.
- Enhanced ride comfort: The smoother rotor dynamics provide improved mission endurance and crew efficiency.
These improvements make the H145 highly capable and adaptable for critical law enforcement tasks, including patrol, surveillance, transport, and emergency medical services. The H145 is also the quietest helicopter in its class, with a particularly low acoustic footprint, making it ideal for urban operations.
The new helicopters will be operated by the police helicopters squadron in Winningen. The Rhineland-Palatinate government and Airbus Helicopters look forward to the successful implementation of these new aircraft in the police force's operations.
[1] Airbus Helicopters Unveils the New H145 at Heli-Expo 2019
[2] Airbus H145: The Helicopter with the Lowest Acoustic Footprint in its Class
[3] Airbus H145: The Versatile Helicopter for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Missions
- The Rhineland-Palatinate police force will not only receive quieter and more capable Airbus H145 helicopters, but these aircraft will also be outfitted with advanced technology, such as the Helionix avionics suite and a five-bladed rotor system, which increases the useful load by 150kg, reduces maintenance needs, and enhances ride comfort.
- In addition to the financial investment in the new Airbus H145 helicopters, the technology-driven enhancements will support various industry sectors, including aerospace, as they continue to evolve, with these helicopters offering versatility in law enforcement, public safety missions, and even potentially contributing to innovative applications in the finance sector or other industries.
