US built Airbus' H125 Astar Helicopters To Be Delivered For Ohio State Highway Patrol

Airbus Helicopters has won an order from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to deliver the first H125 AStar produced on the new final assembly line in the USA.

Airbus Helicopters announced today that the H125, locally known as the “AStar” is America’s single-engine turbine helicopter. It is now built in the US by American workers.

Ohio State Highway Patrol currently operates two AS350 B2 AStars to conduct a wide variety of law enforcement missions including patrol, aerial searches with thermal imagers, photo missions and marijuana eradication. The highway patrol has been operating AStars for more than 20 years to protect and serve the citizens of Ohio.

Airbus Helicopters had partially assembled AS350B2 and AS350B3 AStar helicopters in Columbus since 2005. Production of the H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) on the full final assembly line began in late 2014.

The OSHP aircraft is the first H125 produced from the Columbus assembly line and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Airbus Helicopters installed the Columbus final assembly line to allow shorter delivery times, increased aircraft customization and the ability for customers to see their aircraft being manufactured, and to offer enhanced customer support.

The H125 assembly line in North-eastern Mississippi, produces the UH-72A Lakota for the US Army. Captain Randy Boggs of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section said the agency is ready to begin operations with the latest, most capable version of the AStar.

“Our new H125 will give us increased power and useful load, along with additional safety features,” said Boggs. “We are looking forward to placing our new helicopter into service later this year,” Boggs added.

Christopher Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters said, “Law enforcement and government operators will value that the H125 is made in the USA, and it is important that the first ship goes to a long time AStar operator such as the OSHP.”

“Now that we are producing helicopters on the Columbus final assembly line, Airbus Helicopters will provide better support and service to customers both before and after delivery.” Emerson added.