Police helicopter
T
he
police helicopter is operational with police forces including those
in the UK, Dubai, Italy, Japan and China. The cockpit can be equipped
with a global positioning navigation system, weather radar and the
customer’s choice of frequency modulated secure communications.
The optional equipment includes a forward looking infra-red and a low light level television camera for surveillance, observation and search, a Spectrolab SX-16 searchlight, a retractable MA3 lighting kit and loudspeakers.
The police helicopter can also be fitted with various lifting systems, e. g. a 907 kg cargo hook, a variable speed rescue hoist fitted with a 50 m cable and capable of lifting 204 kg. Safety systems include a rappelling kit54, wire strike55 protection and emergency floats56.
Augusta Westland a119 Koala Single Turbine Light Helicopter, Italy
T
he
A119 Koala single turbine light helicopter, developed and
manufactured by Augusta Westland of Italy, first flew in 1995 and
entered service in 2000.
«The A119 Koala single turbine light helicopter has the capacity to transport seven passengers plus the pilot».
The helicopter design work was carried out at Augusta’s Cascina Costa di Samarate engineering centre. Augusta continues full-scale production, marketing and support of the Koala. Denel is marketing the helicopter in South Africa and has set up an assembly production line and a spares and components manufacturing facility to support the main production line in Cascina Costa.
Augusta Westland has expanded the facility of its US subsidiary, Augusta Aerospace Corp in Philadelphia, for the manufacturing and assembly of the A119.
The first US manufactured Koala made its maiden flight in June 2005.
Multi-role helicopter
The A119 Koala single turbine light helicopter has the capacity to transport seven passengers plus the pilot or slung loads up to 1,000 kg. The maximum cruise speed is over 260 km/h (140 kt) and the maximum range with seven passengers and their luggage is more than 650 km (350 nm).
The helicopter can be equipped for search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance and passenger and light cargo transport roles. For firefighting, the Koala can be fitted with the Simplex 323 Fire Attack System, which has a 1,200l capacity.
The Koala is in service in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Italy, Turkey, UK, USA and Venezuela. Over 90 orders have been received including: Tex-Air of Texas, USA (transport for the offshore oil and gas industry), Eli euro of Italy (firefighting), New York Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Mississippi air ambulance, LinFox of Australia, J.B. Air of Canada, Omniflight of Wisconsin, USA (EMS), Saint Alphonsus Life Flight in Boise, Idaho (EMS) and Careflight of Australia (EMS).
«In 2007, Augusta Westland launched the AW119 Ke (Koala enhanced) helicopter».
Recent orders include two for J.V. Gokal of India (ordered in June 2005), two for Phoenix Police Air Support Unit, USA (ordered September 2005), one for Skyline Helicopters, Canada (ordered February 2006), two for Kaan Air of Turkey, five for the Mexican Government (ordered July 2006), one for SEACOR Holdings/Era Helicopters (ordered in December 2006) and five for the Libyan Red Crescent (ordered in December 2006).