A Dutch multinational military and aerospace company whose helicopters are used to monitor the US–Mexico border.
Airbus SE, headquartered in the Netherlands, is a multinational military and aerospace company that specializes in manufacturing commercial and military aircraft. As of 2023, 17% of the company’s annual revenue derived from its Defence and Space segment, which manufactures warplanes and missile systems, while 11% derived from its Helicopters segment, which manufactures both civil and military helicopters.
Between 2008 and July 2024, the U.S. government awarded Airbus over $7.5 billion of contracts, the vast majority of which were held by the Departments of Defense (DHS) and Homeland Security (DHS).
US-Mexico Border Monitoring
U.S. immigration authority Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses Airbus helicopters as part of its Air and Marine Operations (AMO) fleet. In 2023 alone, AMO’s enforcement resulted in 1,004 arrests and 89,909 apprehensions of immigrants. According to Airbus, it has provided aircraft for U.S. border enforcement operations since the 1980s.
CBP uses the Airbus AS350 Light Enforcement Helicopter (LEH) for “aerial patrol and surveillance of stationary or moving targets,” particularly in metropolitan areas. These helicopters are equipped with electro-optical (day) and infrared (night) sensors. Airbus has provided CBP with more than 100 helicopters from this series over the years, but started providing CBP with new and improved H125 helicopters, “uniquely configured” for the agency, in 2020. Airbus has described the new model as "one of the most advanced, high-tech law enforcement helicopters ever developed."
CBP has also used the smaller Airbus EC120 helicopter as a "highly-effective aerial surveillance platform in the border desert areas where terrain can be difficult to traverse on foot." CBP has frequently used this aircraft to assist ground agents in detecting traces left behind by people crossing the desert.
In addition to using its AMO fleet to patrol U.S. borders, has used these aircraft to assist local police agencies, including with monitoring protests. Out of 92,800 hours of flight time logged by CBP's AMO in 2020, 8,000 hours were spent responding to requests for assistance from police agencies around the country.
In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security deployed helicopters, airplanes, and drones over at least 15 U.S. cities during protests over the murder of George Floyd. These aircraft logged at least 270 hours of surveillance. Specifically, a CBP Airbus helicopter spent more than an hour flying over Dayton, Ohio, during a Black Lives Matter protest, providing aerial support to the local police department.
In June 2021, CBP sent an Airbus helicopter to Park Rapids, Minn., to assist local law enforcement in monitoring a protest against the construction of an oil pipeline. The low-flying helicopter repeatedly “rotor washed” protestors with dust and debris for extended periods of time while recording the protest with a camera.
US Policing
Airbus claims that it is the leading provider of helicopters to law enforcement agencies, with over 60% of police aircraft deliveries in the past decade being Airbus products. In March 2023, the company announced that several law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada—including the Kansas Highway Patrol and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police—have placed orders for Airbus H125 helicopters. These helicopters will be used, for example, for speed patrol, “suspect surveillance and pursuit,” transporting police equipment, and more. The company has also provided or marketed its helicopters to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the New York Police Department, and the Phoenix Police Department.