Three Huey IIs delivered to US Customs & Border Protection

Three Huey IIs delivered to US Customs & Border Protection

30-Aug-2010 Source: ARINC

Drug smugglers and illegal aliens face a more difficult future, as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air and Marine has just expanded and increased the capabilities of its helicopter fleet.

ARINC Engineering Services, LLC, recently completed the delivery of three upgraded Huey II helicopters to the Office of Air and Marine (OAM). ARINC and its subcontractor, U.S. Helicopter, converted three standard UH-1H helicopters into the much more capable Huey II configuration, under a contract awarded in January 2009.

The third and final Huey II aircraft was delivered at the Ozark, Ala. facility of U.S. Helicopter, an affiliate of Bell Helicopter. Charles Bourquardez, Director of Acquisitions for the CBP Office of Air and Marine, accepted the helicopters on behalf of ARINC’s customer.

“ARINC is very pleased to assist the Office of Air and Marine in modernizing its air fleet and enhancing its law enforcement capabilities,” stated Steve Jordan, Project Manager for ARINC Engineering Services. “This important work for a strategic new customer significantly expands ARINC’s broad range of support for Homeland Security.”

The Huey II configuration starts with the proven Bell UH-1H helicopter and adds a more powerful engine, along with new dynamic components and tailboom. In addition, there is a new navigation and communication suite, and total rewiring. The Huey II upgrade offers dramatically improved mission capability versus the UH-1H, with significant increases in hover performance and gross weight, while lowering direct operating costs.

The CBP Office of Air and Marine is the largest civilian law enforcement aviation and maritime organization in the world. It currently operates more than 260 aircraft of various types, including a fleet of nine standard UH-1H helicopters and nearly 200 maritime vessels from 80 sites around the country. During 2009, OAM contributed to the arrest of more than 1,600 narcotics smugglers and the apprehension of more than 59,000 illegal aliens. OAM also provides support to the CBP’s anti-terrorism mission along U.S. borders, including air-to-ground, air-to-air, and air-to-water interceptions.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

About Bell Aerospace Services (BellAero)

BellAero provides turnkey aviation maintenance and support services throughout the world. In June, 2005, BellAero acquired US Helicopter, which is widely regarded as the premier maintenance and modification center for UH-1H helicopters in the world. Over the last 15 years, US Helicopter has refurbished over five hundred UH-1H helicopters and installed over one hundred Huey II upgrade kits. BellAero is a subsidiary of Bell Helicopter. More information is available at www.bellaero.com.

About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. More information is available at www.bellhelicopter.com.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands, such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

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