Donauwörth, Germany - Today, the federal-state police of Baden-Württemberg took delivery of the first H145 helicopter in police configuration at Airbus Helicopters’ industrial site in Donauwörth. The aircraft is the first of an order of six to be handed over to the launch customer.

Reinhold Gall, minister of the interior of Baden-Württemberg said: “It is of the utmost importance for our police to be able to rely on the quality of their resources in order to meet the challenges of their daily missions.

With the acquisition of a total of six new police helicopters we guarantee the high quality standards of the squadron. I’m particularly pleased with the fact that with the world’s most modern police helicopter H145 Baden-Württemberg is once again a pioneer in terms of technical innovation in our country”, 

The H145 helicopter has been designed to be deployed of special forces units, VIP transport, external load, observation and reconnaissance. It is equipped with a mission management system by Euroavionics. 

Its surveillance mission is supported by forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras, controlled by an on-board operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources.

Wolfgang Schoder, chief executive officer of Airbus Helicopters in Germany said: "Now entering service for law enforcement operations, the Police Baden Württemberg will be using the H145’s capabilities for its most challenging missions.

“In line with our company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, we have set up a dedicated logistic team available 24/7 to support mission execution of Police Baden Württemberg.”

As one of the three largest German States in size and population, comprising the major cities of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Mannheim, the helicopter will cover an area of roughly 36,000 km2.

The H145 is the latest member of its family, incorporating new Arriel 2E engines and the company’s Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and tail rotor gearboxes, as well as the innovative digital avionics suite Helionix® with 4-axis autopilot. 

The federal-state police of Baden-Württemberg currently have a fleet of two EC155 and six MD902, which is to be succeeded by the H145. Police forces throughout the country will soon be operating an all-Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft fleet.

Airbus Helicopters employs more than 23,000 people worldwide and in 2014 generated revenues of 6.5 billion Euros. Airbus Helicopters has renamed its product range replacing the former “EC” designation with a “H”.