An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 by GUy WARNER In 2002 an EC-135T1 (Serial '256'), was delivered. This was up- graded to T2 standard in 2006, before an EC-135T2+ (Serial '272') was purchased in 2007 to replace the Squirrel. Both helicopters have thermal imaging devices and high- magnification digital cameras manufactured by FLIR Systems. Digital images can subsequently be used in court as evidence. A microwave downlink, the advanced onboard radio suite, and a loudspeaker system, enhance communications with the ground. The introduction of the GS-wide TETRA digital comms system in 2010/11 has added considerably to the efficiency of air-ground radio contact. The helicopters are fitted with moving Skyforce map displays that give for pinpoint tracking and location, and can illuminate an area with their powerful Nitesun searchlights – 15 million candle- power for '256' and 30 million for '272'. The introduction of night-vision goggle (NVG) capability for all three crew members on '272' in 2008 has been another huge step forward. Comdt Bonner says: "NVG gives us good visual acuity in the urban environment, making it much safer when, for example, pursuing a stolen vehicle in poor weather conditions in darkness"; to which Sergeant Coade added: "…as many a joyrider has found out to their dismay." Resistant to 'blooming' (an effect of excess light), these high- spec NVGs operate equally well over a brightly lit city as they do in a dark rural environment. According to Comdt Bonner: "The EC-135 is a delight to fly, with instantaneous response to control inputs due to its rigid rotor- head design. It is a very stable platform and the airframe has been designed with a high degree of crashworthiness, which increases the crew's sense of wellbeing." The Thales EFIS avionic suite is carried in a McAlpine-designed pod beneath the fuselage. The cockpit contains two multifunc- tion LCD displays providing all necessary flight and navigation in- formation; a caution and advisory display (CAD); and two vehicle engine management displays (VEMDs). The CAD's automatic warnings/cautions require the pilot's ac- knowledgement and are accompanied by an aural warning. All power, temperature and speed parameters are encompassed in one VEMD, the FLI (first limit indicator), which means the pilot only needs to watch one screen to see how the engines are performing. The other VEMD includes electrical and hydraulic information Both helis are fitted with advanced digital autopilot, allowing them to be flown single-pilot IFR. Hands-off modes include head- ing, altitude, airspeed, vertical speed and navigation hold. Instru- ment approaches can also be flown by the autopilot. A Trimble GPS can be coupled to the autopilot and a Honeywell Sentinel Multifunction Display, with moving map and TCAS, can download waypoints from the GPS. The EC-135 is powered by twin Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engines with a combined power output of 900KW. FADEC control auto- A ir support units are a well-established feature of modern police work throughout the world, playing a valuable role giving police on the ground the ability to control operations and maintain communications over a much wider area than previously possible. Ireland is in a unique position in that the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) is a joint police/military operation. The aircraft are An Garda Síochána (GS) owned and carry Garda observers but are flown by Air Corps pilots and have military registrations. Day-to-day command is exercised jointly by OC 304 Sqn, Comdt Philip bonner, and Garda Sergeant-in-Charge brian Coade. The unit, currently compris- ing three aircraft, is located at Casement Aerodrome, baldonnel, in a purpose-built facility. Prior to receiving their first aircraft in 1997, the GS was able to call on the Air Corps to provide aid to the civil community but no aircraft were routinely tasked or equipped to operate specifically in support of the gardaí. Eventually, funding was made available that allowed the pur- chase of one fixed-wing Pilatus-britten-Norman 2T-4S Defender 4000, and one Eurocopter (EC) AS355N Squirrel helicopter. from the Air Forward Observer and pilot in 272 over Dublin.

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