U.S. Border Patrol Orders More AS350s

The Homeland Security Dept. is calling for more of the Eurocopter aircraft for its Customs and Border Protection service. The vendor, American Eurocopter, expects the indefinite quantity/ indefinite delivery contract to cover up to 50 more AS350B3s during its base year and four one-year options. The contract has a value of up to $150 million. Customs and Border Protection today operates 48 AS350s and 15 EC120s, and has five more EC120s on order. The initial order of 17 AS350B3s calls for delivery of 17 aircraft starting in 2009. The aircraft are to be produced at American Eurocopter’s Columbus, Mississippi facility. For related news