Airbus Helicopters Inc., the U.S. sales leader in law enforcement helicopters for more than a decade, will exhibit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s  H125 AStar at the 2015 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Chicago, October 25-27.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates the H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) to conduct a wide variety of law enforcement missions, including patrol, aerial searches with thermal imaging systems, photo missions, and marijuana eradication. Airbus Helicopters Inc. produced the Mississippi DPS H125at the company’s Columbus, Miss. production facility. Airbus Helicopters Inc. installed the law enforcement completion package at its headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas.

“Choosing the H125 was an easy decision,” said Captain Ron Kelley, Director of Air Operations for Mississippi DPS and the Mississippi Highway Patrol. “The H125 cockpit size and layout is unmatched by any other aircraft on the single-engine market. Operating costs are significantly lower, and the initial purchase price is drastically less than the competitors, making this decision a no-brainer. We get more bang for the buck with the H125.”

“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is a new customer to Airbus Helicopters Inc., and their H125 has proven to be reliable and mission-ready to perform law enforcement work across the state,” said Ed Van Winkle, Senior Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement. “The H125 is the industry leader in technology and capability, and it has numerous safety features and a wide variety of law enforcement options.”

Airbus Helicopters’ H125/AS350 AStar-series helicopters are the most widely purchased by U.S. law enforcement agencies. More than 220 are in use nationwide with 44 different law enforcement agencies, 75 of them delivered in the last five years. Other agencies that have recently purchased H125 aircraft include the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Police Department, Ontario (Calif.) Police Department and the Israel Police.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. leads the U.S. market in sales of new helicopters to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with a 56 percent market share over the last decade. The spacious cabin and modern safety features of the H125, including energy-attenuating seats, a crash-resistant fuel system, and a Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display, make the AStar an industry leader. The cost-effective H125 is the latest model with high cruise speed and range, and the ability to conduct a wide range of missions. It is built and certified in Columbus, Miss.

About Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of the Airbus Group. Airbus Helicopters Inc. is a manufacturer, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered in the U.S. The product line represents the industry’s most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters serving all markets and missions. The company’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.