Australian Aerospace today announced the sale of a multi-role Dauphin AS365 N3+ helicopter to the Western Australian Police Service.

The contract, worth more than $10 million, will provide a much-needed second helicopter for the state’s police – the helicopter is due to be delivered in September 2011.

The AS365 N3+ is the latest version in Eurocopter’s Dauphin range. It is a four tonne, medium size, twin-engine helicopter which has a range of 650km and features state-of-the-art avionics.

The helicopter can perform missions in the most severe climatic conditions at high altitudes and high temperatures. Its large power margin allows rooftop landings and takeoffs in urban areas in complete safety.

Around 650 Dauphin aircraft are operated by police, homeland security and search and rescue agencies around the world, including three being flown by the Victorian Police Service.

WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan says the Dauphin is a vital addition to the state’s police air wing.

“Having a second helicopter will increase the capacity of WA Police to provide aerial support to frontline policing, search and rescue, counter terrorism operations and whole-of-government emergency management response” Mr O’Callaghan says.

Australian Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Dr Jens Goennemann believes the Dauphin is the ideal helicopter for the WA Police.

“The Dauphin can operate in the extreme temperatures which are common in many parts of Western Australia,” he says. “It is powered by two Turbomeca ARRIEL 2C gas turbines, which mean the helicopter can take off at maximum weight at more than 50° Celsius or at more than 40° Celsius with a full load in Category A conditions at sea level.”

News of the sale comes as Australian Aerospace supports a wide range of Eurocopter helicopters at the HeliPacific 2010 conference on the Gold Coast.

The number and variety of Eurocopter helicopters being showcasing at HeliPacific underscores the depth and quality of the rotary-wing products which the company both manufactures and supports in the South Pacific military and civil aviation markets.

They include the latest word in basic/advanced aircrew trainers, the EC 135 – essentially the civil version of the military EC635 – which is being proposed as the new trainer for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

“Australian Aerospace has a great deal of experience in providing customised training solutions to the Commonwealth,” says Chief Executive Goennemann, “so we are well positioned and ready to build on our strategic partnership with the Commonwealth through the AIR 9000 Phase 7 program”.

Australian Aerospace’s HeliPacific lineup comprises 10 helicopters, including:

EC 120B: This light five seat, single-engine aircraft is a multi-purpose helicopter designed to provide its users with mission flexibility. Modern and featuring advanced technology such as the fully-duplex Vehicle/Engine Multi-Function Display (VEMD) which enables the pilot to see at a glance the main parameters of the platform and engines, new generation fenestron, crashworthy seats and fuel system, the EC120 is a safe, quiet and comfortable aircraft. With very low operating costs and outstanding performance, the EC120 is the most efficient aircraft in its class.

AS350 B2/B3/SD2: These light, 5/6 passenger, enhanced/high performance helicopters are particularly suited to aerial work, police missions, or private user due to their versatility and low operating costs. The AS350 B2 can carry pilot, medical crew and patient as well as stowed equipment at 246 km/h (133 kts). The latest version features VEMD. The AS350 B3 goes even farther, faster and higher and is superior to all other helicopters in its class. Especially adapted to extreme conditions (high altitude/hot temperatures) its speed and comfort also make it an excellent business helicopter. The AS350 “SD2” helicopter incorporates piston-to-turbine convertion technology and is based on the original AS350B2 model.

EC135: The ideal aircraft for basic and advanced helicopter aircrew training, the EC135 is well suited to the AIR9000 Phase 7 program, being agile and responsive with multi-role capability. Offering high mission availability and low operating costs, the EC135 presents unrivalled safety on the ground and in flight. The high visibility contemporary glass cockpit provides commonality with the military ARH Tiger and MRH90.

AS365: Known as the Dauphin, this medium, twin-engine helicopter, seating up to 12 passengers, boasts excellent performance, making it particularly suited for more demanding missions such as police work, homeland security and search and rescue. A very versatile aircraft, it is also well-adapted to operations in hot climates and high altitudes, and is cost effective and efficient for all kinds of transportation.

Tiger ARH: The ARH Tiger is a two-seat, attack helicopter designed to perform a wide range of missions. Faster and more agile than its competitors, the ARH Tiger can detect and engage targets at longer ranges, and more easily coordinate and control combined arms teams. The Tiger incorporates cutting-edge technologies including: composite airframe to minimise weight and reduce radar cross-section; latest-generation engines and rotors; integrated suite of sensors and weapons; built-in low-cost maintenance design and latest generation target identification and acquisition sight. Inherently stealthy in radar cross-section, the Tiger employs infra-red suppression techniques to minimise infra-red detectability

Source: EADS