Airbus' Dauphin Helicopters To Serve In Japanese Police And Firefighting Missions

Airbus Helicopters announced today that it has received an order of two more Dauphin helicopters along with the three others scheduled for delivery later this month, for Japan’s law enforcement and firefighting agencies.

The latest order was signed with Japan’s National Police Agency for one H155 version (previously known as the EC155) to be deployed by the Kagawa Prefectural Police, and an AS365 N3+ variant for the Fukuoka Prefectural Police. Both Dauphins are scheduled to be delivered in 2017, and will replace aging aircraft in these operators’ respective fleets. The H155 is Kagawa Prefectural Police’s first Airbus Helicopters-built rotorcraft.

This month’s three Dauphin deliveries in Japan involved an H155 for the Hyogo Prefectural Police, one AS365 N3+ received by the Hiroshima Prefectural Police, and an AS365 N3+ for the Nagoya City Fire Department.

Currently, a total of 56 Dauphin helicopters are operated in Japan – including three H155s and six AS365s deployed by Japanese police agencies, as well as 24 AS365s flown in firefighting and disaster relief missions.

The medium-sized twin-engine Dauphin incorporates advanced technologies for rapid flight speeds, low noise and vibration. Equipped with Airbus Helicopters‘signature Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, the rotorcraft‘s spacious cabin comfortably accommodates up to 13 passengers and two pilots.