Bell Helicopter said it has signed a purchase agreement with the New South Wales Police in Sydney for its 412EPI helicopters.
The company–a division of Textron [TXT]–said the aircraft will be the first 412EPI to fly in Australia. The 412PEI is an upgraded version of the medium lift, utility helicopter. The enhancements include the Bell BasiX Pro™ fully integrated glass flight deck, which displays information on LCD screens in lieu of traditional analog dashboards. The twin-engine, four-rotor blade helicopter includes Pratt & Whitney’s PT6T-9 Twin Pac engines, which Bell said increases the aircraft’s horsepower 15 times over the original 412.
Bell said the helicopters will be used for tactical and response missions. The aircraft is most commonly used for medical emergency services, search and rescue, law enforcement, corporate transport and at offshore oil fields.
Bell did not release how many 412EPI helicopters were purchased or the amount of the purchase agreement. The company will deliver the aircraft beginning in late 2014.