American Eurocopter Wins $75 Million U.S. Border Patrol Contract
American Eurocopter will deliver 55 EC 120 helicopters to the U.S. Border Patrol under a $75 million contract announced by the Department of Homeland Security on October 4. The helicopters will be assembled and delivered at a new Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss., and will replace Vietnam-era military surplus helicopters currently operated by the Border Patrol. Eurocopter cites the EC 120's low noise as a major advantage in the Border Patrol mission, which covers many areas of protected wildlife habitat. With its ducted Fenestron tail rotor, the EC 120 is claimed to be the quietest helicopter in its class.
