The latest addition to the twin-engine Squirrel family, the AS 355 N is a helicopter ideally suited to police work. Five police forces have already adopted it in the UK. The Dyfed-Powys were the first to purchase one, quickly followed by the London Metropolitan Police, who bought two, the East Midlands Air Supports Unit and the Lancashire Constabulary. The major attractions of the AS 355 N are the high power provided by its two Turbomeca Arrius 1A turboshafts, which develop a maximum takeoff power of 570 shp (420 kW), the low vibration level (noise is always a complaint from residents over whose houses many helicopters pass), and the spacious uncluttered cabin that allows mission-specific equipment to be integrated while retaining excellent visibility. The equipment provided for police work in Britain usually comprises a thermal imaging camera and TV camera package mounted under the machine's nose, to which night searchlights and loudhailers can be attached. All AS 355 Ns used by police forces feature a purpose built instrument panel combining high levels of visibility with ergonomic placement of controls and the TV monitor. The Greater Manchester Police have recently pioneered the use of a radio video down-link that transmits images from the nose mounted thermal imager back to the police control room. This equipment has also been adopted by the Met Police. The AS 355 N first appeared in the UK five years ago and has since logged nearly 7500 flying hours. The AS 355 N Squirrel has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,540 kg in internal payload configuration, and 2,600 with a cargo sling. Its cruise speed is 235 Km/h (127 kts), fuel capacity is 577 kg, while hourly fuel consumption is 180 kg/hr. Its range is 720 km (388 nm) and its maximum endurance at 100 km/hr is five hours. It can accommodate one pilot and between four and six passengers, but this depends on the tactical equipment onboard. It is believed that the fit-out specifications requested by the Force were quite high, and will include all the latest communications equipment, including encrypted radio links. It should also be fitted with a PA system, search light, TV camera, night vision facilities, microwave down-link for images, stabilised binoculars and the latest in computerised moving map technology. It is also understood that the helicopter will have some form of light armour under the seats and around the engine bay, to protect both it and its crew from ground fire. It may also have a wire strike protector, which lessens the chances of the rotors becoming snagged in overhead power lines.

The Defender, PBN's most recent development, was launched at the Farnborough International Air Show in 1994, and is based on the highly successful and proven Defender series of aircraft. The Defender is larger than one of its sister aircraft, the Islander, which will be familiar to anyone who has flown to the Aran Islands, as this is the aircraft used by Aer Arann. The Islander is renowned for its ability to land 'practically anywhere', and the Defender continues that tradition. Indeed the Cheshire police force, currently being featured on Sky television's 'Coppers' documentary series, have an Islander at their disposal.

The Defender is a high wing monoplane of metal construction and fixed tricycle undercarriage - rugged and simple to maintain. Its fuselage is rectangular in section and is manufactured from aluminium alloys. The aircraft structure is designed to have exceptional fatigue life (over 40,000 hours) and all aircraft parts are protected against corrosion. The high wing configuration provides a maximum unobstructed field of view. It is designed to meet the most demanding surveillance requirements, and it maintains the benefits of low operating costs and durability. Its design evolution includes an extended fuselage giving increased cabin space, a nose cone that accommodates a 360o rotating antennae, larger wing and an enhanced visibility cockpit with 240o of vision. Inside the Defender can accommodate a maximum of 16 people, or a combination of seats and computer consoles.

Its maximum takeoff and landing weight is 8500lbs (3855kg), while its maximum payload with a full fuel load is 1598lbs (724kg). It can reach heights of 25,000 feet, although its preferred operational height will probably be between 12,000 and 14,000 feet, and has a maximum cruise speed of 176 knots (326kph). Its short takeoff and landing capability means that the Defender will be able to land a number of airfields across the country. Its range of 1006 nautical miles (589m) makes it ideal for covert operations at sea - monitoring suspected drug running vessels etc. To give you an idea of the distance you could travel in the Defender, you could fly from Dublin to Galway and back five times on one load of fuel.