Helinet Technologies Selected by NYPD to Deploy Custom Airborne Mission Suite for Department's Four Bell 429 Patrol Helicopters

LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the New York Police Department (NYPD) to deploy a custom airborne mission suite for the Department's four recently acquired Bell 429 Patrol helicopters. Developed from the ground up to meet the specific needs of the NYPD, the mission suite incorporates state of the art image capture, broadcast and receive technologies in a unique configuration that will be fully controllable through the industry's most robust moving map system.

The new system will support the NYPD's policing and counterterrorism operations by enabling live streaming of HD video and data from the aircraft to NYPD command centers and to portable handheld receivers utilized by officers in the field.  Air crews will also be able to instantly overlay critical information such as addresses, points of interest and other data on top of the live video and then transmit the video and data in real-time via secure microwave downlink.  Helinet designed the system to provide complete interoperability with NYPD's existing airborne surveillance infrastructure and with the systems of local, state and federal partners, allowing for seamless coordination during large scale operations.

Today's deal follows Helinet's recent work developing a real-time video and data microwave downlink solution for the NYPD's Domain Awareness System (DAS).  This existing system enables live streaming of HD video and data from law enforcement aircraft and from handheld radiation detectors to NYPD command center receive sites.  The DAS is a state-of-the-art law enforcement technology solution that aggregates and analyzes existing public safety data streams in real time, providing NYPD investigators and analysts with a comprehensive view of potential threats and criminal activity.

"Helinet's real-world operational expertise in creating robust surveillance and transmit solutions for the NYPD as well as other major law enforcement and government agencies makes it the ideal partner for equipping the new Bell 429 aircraft," said NYPD Deputy Inspector James Coan.  "The company has been a valuable partner in supporting the Department's Domain Awareness System and we are pleased to tap the firm for this latest assignment."

Helinet will lead design and installation of the new mission suite, working closely with partners Wescam, Churchill Navigation, Vislink and Trakka Corp.  The solution will provide uninterrupted, interference-free ship-to-ground video and data streaming within a 50-plus mile radius of Manhattan.  In developing the system, Helinet utilized commercial-off-the-shelf products in a custom configuration optimized to support the NYPD's multi-mission profile of patrol, surveillance, counterterrorism and emergency response.  Helinet will also provide ongoing training and 24/7 support.

"The NYPD is one of the most sophisticated law enforcement departments in the world and we are pleased to have been selected to develop the airborne mission suite for its new Bell 429 patrol helicopters," said Ron Magocsi, chief operating officer for Helinet Technologies.  "We look forward to supporting the Department in its mission of safeguarding the people of New York City."

About Helinet Technologies

Helinet Technologies is an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets.  Backed by decades of experience deploying customized surveillance and broadcasting systems for organizations across the globe, the firm offers a full suite of services, ranging from basic equipment sales to fully outsourced surveillance solutions, including providing pilots and aircraft.  

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SOURCE Helinet Technologies