US-based aviation technology company CNC Technologies has deployed a new airborne mission suite for the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) recently acquired Airbus H125 helicopter
Working with aviation and completion services firm Metro Aviation on the assignment, CNC led development and design of the new system and will provide ongoing training and 24/7 support.
The new mission suite provides the Texas DPS with the capability to stream real-time HD video and data from the H125 to ground-based forces around the state and to partners around the world. Key system highlights include the latest generation Wescam MX-10 gyrostabilized gimbal equipped with HD video, advanced video tracker and HD infrared payloads; advanced microwave downlink infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted video, audio and data transmission; and a Garmin moving map system that allows operators to overlay location-specific data on top of live HD video feeds.
The system is also fully interoperable with the Texas DPS’ existing ground receive network.
Cutomized systems for the Texas DPS
CNC currently provides the Texas DPS with ongoing support for the airborne mission suites deployed on the agency’s two Pilatus PC-12 Spectre fixed-wing aircraft. Each of these systems was custom developed by CNC for the Texas DPS and went into service in 2016. Other agencies CNC works with include the New York Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department,
Michigan State Police, Atlanta Police, Florida Highway Patrol and LA County Sheriff’s Department.
“The Texas DPS is one of the country’s premier public safety agencies with a broad range of mission requirements spanning law enforcement, counterterrorism, disaster response and search and rescue,” said Ron Magocsi, Founding Partner and Chief Technology Officer at CNC Technologies. “We are honored for the opportunity to extend our ongoing relationship with the agency with the deployment of the new mission suite for its H125 helicopter.”
With more technology than ever before available to pilots to assist in operational decision-making, AirMed&Rescue considered whether an overreliance on automation poses a clear and present danger to the safety of air medical operations, including for law enforcement.