This is Part 2 in TFG’s coverage of DHS/CBP aircraft likely to be used within the context of the current United States administration’s crackdown on nationwide protests. The focus of Part 1 (click here) was fixed wing aircraft, while this edition will be on rotary-wing aircraft used for aerial patrol and surveillance. Part 3 will include similar content on UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, AKA drones).
Airbus AS350 A-Star
A single-engine, three-bladed, short-range helicopter, the Airbus AS350 (classified as the A-Star specifically in the United States) is a Light Enforcement Helicopter largely used for aerial patrol and surveillance. As apposed to the Bell Huey IIs (below) with the intended capability of deployment, retrieval, and load bearing, while the AS350 has excellent vertical lift capability and maneuverability it is equipped with an UltraMedia camera, night vision goggles, and an infrared detection system that assesses temperature differences deviating from that of the landscape below. The camera is easily discernible from the main body of the aircraft as a white or black dome-like protrusion on the bottom of the fuselage (front/cockpit). The infrared detection system can also be easily spotting on the underside of the aircraft where the tail meets the engine compartment. Loudspeakers and hoist capabilities are also feature of the craft. Because the joined surveillance and lift capabilities, it the AS350 is optimal for metropolitan/urban areas. If one was attempting to identify the craft by sound alone, its three blades make a fast, almost continuous chopping sound, backed by the engine’s higher-pitched whine. Like most helicopters the AS350’s service ceiling is about half of a standard fixed-wing aircraft sitting at 16,100 feet with a cruising speed of 120 knots (138mph) and a range of 360 miles.
Airbus EC120
Used more as a ground support and surveillance vehicle, this smaller Airbus model fits one pilot and provides light observation, which is to say that it has no gadgets or cameras like the AS350. It is perfectly capable of having surveillance tools mounted on it, such as the spotlight in the third photo (N183CB and others). There is room for a camera to be installed, but that has yet to be seen in any of the hundreds of photos of this model. However, the large windows in the front, allow the pilot maximum surveillance capabilities “to assist CBP ground personnel in sign-cutting, which is the skill of detecting and interpreting the traces of activity, people, or animals.” It is a medium-range craft with a range of 383 miles, a service ceiling of 20,000 ft., and a cruising speed of 138 mph. Although the craft boasts a low sound profile, the three blades make a low, muffled fluttering noise that competes with the hum of the engine.
Bell UH-1N
The UH-1N or “Huey” helicopters are a larger, medium range craft with twin engines powering the two-blade rotor with a range of 400 miles, maximum speed of 150 mph, and a service ceiling of 15,000 ft. The two rotor blades make fore a louder and more defined “chopper” sound paired with a buzzing hum of the motor. Rather than the white and blue color scheme of the two Airbus crafts, the Huey has a black and gold scheme. Much like the AS350, this craft is adorned with surveillance equipment, namely an infrared imaging system with the capability of broadcasting data back to CBP locations on the ground (downlink capability). This feature can be spotted on the underside of the fuselage. Because the Huey is used for mostly tactical missions, the surveillance equipment is used in concert with lift operations and agent deployment. A Garmin G500H GPS (global positioning system) is also used to aid in tactical missions with its additional communications functions. These rotary crafts are more often used in coastal and inaccessible terrain operations and are therefore equipped with FastFin systems to enhance stability and agility when lifting and deploying.
Sikorsky UH-60
Out of the two Sikorsky models used by the CBP, the UH-60 is the most powerful with the longest flying time of all their rotary aircraft (4.5 hrs), a (medium) range of 609 miles, a maximum speed of 172mph, and a service ceiling of 20,000 ft. The main rotor has 4 blades and has an unmistakable and incredibly loud chop with a high pitched engine whine. Its range has much to do with the internal auxiliary fuel tanks. The CBP claims this craft is used mainly in counterterrorism and drug-related missions and like the Bell Huey model is also equipped for lift and deployment, and aided in this mission by surveillance tools such as electro-optical/infrared sensors (usually attached to the bottom front and center of the craft), a night sun spotlight (hanging off the right side), and night vision goggles. There is room for a crew of three and is capable of lifting more passengers (incapacitated or not) and their equipment. Because the UH-60 is so powerful, it is used for missions in extreme weather.
Sikorsky S-76B
The less powerful of the CBP’s two Sikorsky models, the S-76B has a slightly sleeker look and has a black, cool grey, and light grey color scheme. It also has four blades on its main rotor and sounds quite similar to the UH-60. Besides having a maximum speed of 178 mph, its capabilities are a bit less than the UH-60 with a (medium) range of 505 miles, a flying time of 2.5 hrs, and a service ceiling of only 15,000 ft. The crew of the S-78B is only two with room in the rear of the cabin for (8) additional passengers, detainees, or survivors, as well as equipment. Once again the utility of the craft is for counterterrorism and drug-related missions. For its airspace security purposes, the Sikorsky S-76B is also equipped with night vision goggles and satellite communications.
