The Air Support Unit has a fleet of seven helicopters of four different types, specifically:
- two Agusta Bell AB-206 Jet Ranger helicopters,
- one Agusta A-109E Power helicopter,
- one Eurocopter EC-135 P2+ type helicopter,
- three helicopters of type Agusta Westland AW-169.
Their technical features and equipment are presented below.
Agusta Bell AB-206 Jet Ranger
There are two Agusta Bell AB-206 helicopters in the fleet: the S5-HPE and the S5-HPD. They have been in service since 1985. Primarily used for training helicopter crews, they can also be used for traffic and border surveillance, searching for missing persons and external transfer of light cargo.
AgustaWestland A-109 Power
The Agusta A-109E Power, S5-HPG, is a helicopter primarily designed for border and traffic surveillance, but can also be used in the protection and rescue system. The helicopter became part of the fleet in 2004 and can be operated during the day and with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) at night. The helicopter has all the necessary certified equipment to perform Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HNMP). There is one helicopter of this type in the fleet.
Eurocopter EC-135
The Eurocopter EC-135, S5-HPH, is a light twin-engine helicopter equipped for all types of police work. It is mostly used for traffic and border control and searching for missing persons. The helicopter is equipped with a camera and can be used for day and night duties. It was delivered in September 2007. There is one helicopter of this type in the fleet.
AgustaWestland AW-169
The Leonardo AgustaWestland AW-169 is an EASA-certified multi-role twin-engine transport helicopter. It is a technologically advanced helicopter and meets the latest aviation safety and noise standards. This type of helicopter replaced the older transport police helicopters of type AB-212 and AB-412, which were withdrawn from service due to difficult-to-supply parts and obsolescence. The new helicopters are used by the police for policing, humanitarian, rescue and other tasks, as well as for firefighting, avalanche searches and the transport of people, equipment and cargo (including animals). In practice, its main advantages are its high cruising speed, very large power reserve and long range. The helicopter is built to the latest aviation standards. For operational tasks, the helicopter can be used both day and night and can fly even in the most difficult weather conditions. All equipment is certified in accordance with EASA standards, allowing the relevant operator licences to be obtained and thus meeting all the requirements of EU regulations. There are three helicopters of this type in the fleet.
Equipment
The Air Support Unit has also been acquiring more modern additional equipment through helicopter purchases to make the helicopters more usable. Depending on the type of helicopter, these include:
- external light (reflector),
- loudspeaker,
- helicopter camera for police duties and searching for missing persons,
- night vision goggles (NVG),
- an external winch for lowering and lifting people, equipment and light cargo into the helicopter,
- hook for carrying external cargo,
- equipment for the transport of external loads,
- helicopter bucket,
- water tank,
- mountain rescue equipment,
- patient transport equipment,
- other equipment for operational work.
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