The Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS) has selected Louisiana-based Metro Gulf to outfit its new Cessna 208 with the industry's latest search and rescue and public safety equipment.

The Texas DPS Aircraft Operations Division comprises 50 police pilots, 25 tactical flight officers, five essential support personnel and more than 25 aircraft. It provides statewide air patrol, criminal surveillance and rescue throughout Texas.

The Metro Gulf team will customise the aircraft with a new L3Harris MX-15 Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) camera, Technisonic TDFM 9000 radio, AEM audio system, multiple MacroBlue and ViewPoint touchscreen monitors, and a Shotover ARS-750 mapping system. Additionally, it will install a fully articulated mission seat and custom-designed mission console, giving the tactical flight officer easy access to all equipment necessary to accomplish the mission.

Texas DPS is a longtime completion customer of Metro Aviation. “We've completed numerous Texas DPS helicopters and are excited it has chosen Metro Gulf for this fixed-wing completion,” says COO Kenny Morrow. “We look forward to working with more of our current partners and welcoming new customers to the family.”