The Texas Department of Public Safety has taken delivery of a new Cessna 208 Caravan from the aviation division of California-based aviation technology and wireless communications company CNC Technologies. As part of the project, CNC developed a comprehensive law enforcement mission suite for the aircraft that will enable air crews to stream real-time HD video and data to ground-based forces around the State of Texas.

Incorporating a Churchill Navigation ARS 700C moving map system and Wescam MX-15HDi gyrostabilised gimbal equipped with HD wide angle, HD zoom and HD infrared payloads, the state-of-the-art mission suite features an advanced microwave downlink system to ensure uninterrupted video, audio and data transmission across all environments. Completion services for the aircraft and installation of the mission suite are being performed by Pro Star Aviation of Londonderry, New Hampshire.

In addition to bringing enhanced capability to the Texas DPS, the new mission suite is fully interoperable with the agency's existing statewide microwave downlink infrastructure. CNC will also provide ongoing training, warranty service and 24/7 support for the new aircraft and mission suite.

“The Texas DPS fields one of the country's largest and most sophisticated airborne divisions with more than 20 aircraft and nearly 100 operators,” says CNC founding partner and CTO Ron Magocsi. “We are proud to have been awarded this project and look forward to supporting the agency in its public safety mission.”