US Customs & Border Protection to Receive Five Additional American Eurocopter EC120s

The Department of Homeland Security has ordered five more EC120s from American Eurocopter, increasing to 15 the total number of these single-engine helicopters being acquired for front-line operations by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. 
 
The EC120s will support Customs and Border Protection missions in low-altitude surveillance and security patrol of America’s borders. As the quietest helicopter in its class, the EC120 is well suited for duty with the agency, and its environmentally-friendly operation enables missions to be flown in wildlife zones contained within the Customs and Border Protection’s area of responsibility. 
 
“We are ready to support this further expansion of Customs and Border Protection’s EC120 fleet, which reinforces our 20-year heritage of supplying helicopters to U.S. national and homeland security agencies,” said Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter’s President and CEO. 
 
The first EC120 from the original order of 10 aircraft was delivered to Customs and Border Protection during a July 21 ceremony at American Eurocopter’s Columbus, Mississippi production facility. The remaining 14 helicopters also will undergo completion and customization at Columbus, and are scheduled to be delivered one per month until all 15 are deployed on assignments along the nation’s borders.
 
The EC120 is the first light single-engine helicopter to incorporate the latest technology available, including a Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) in the cockpit, the Fenestron tail rotor, and Turbomeca’s ARRIUS engine that generates a takeoff power of 504 shp. 
 
The EC120’s design makes it the most comfortable helicopter in its category, with a wide cabin that accommodates up to five persons and provides excellent visibility through large cabin windows. There are nearly 390 EC120s in service with U.S. and international operators, logging a combined flying time of more than 354,500 total hours. 
 
About American Eurocopter  
American Eurocopter LLC is the American subsidiary of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and EADS North America, the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. American Eurocopter builds, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. 
 
American Eurocopter’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a manufacturing facility in Columbus, Mississippi. For more information: (972) 641-0000 or visit our website at www.eurocopterusa.com.