Metropolitan Air Support Unit has purchased three EC 145s to increase its range of operations in London. The aircraft will feature the latest video, observation and commun-ication technology for spontaneous and pre-planned flights.

ASU currently operates three AS355Ns fitted with special equipment for observation and information collection. The equip-ment includes a video camera on the nose of the aircraft to provide a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, which can zoom in on an object several miles away and is fitted with a thermal image sensor.

The pictures taken from the helicopter can be viewed by people on the ground due to a retractable aerial fitted to the right-hand skid. Underneath the aircraft there is a Skyshout PA system with four speakers for public order events. Beneath the tail is a Nitesun searchlight, which can pinpoint a person in darkness.

The current Twin Squirrel aircraft can carry three crew members for

90 minutes without refuelling. The

EC 145 will be able to carry 12 passengers for three hours, thus being able to increase its resource to officers across the Metropolitan Police Area with searches, vehicle pursuit and tracking, public order,

vip escorts, and providing transport for specialists.