Air Support Unit - How do we do our job
The ASU helicopters all carry a range of high-tech equipment that the air observers are specially trained to operate.
Video Camera: On the aircraft there is a moveable ball, fitted with a television broadcast quality 3-chip daylight video camera with facility to zoom from x10 to x200 magnification, and an additional lens set at x1000 zoom, known as a ‘spotter scope’. The operator (Observer 1), who sits in the front left hand seat, is able to have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and can zoom in on an object several miles away. The ball is fitted with stabilising gyroscopes to cancel out the vibration of the aircraft, this together with the high standard of training, for both observers and pilots, ensures steady pictures. This is particularly important when involved in large public order demonstrations in London and the pictures are transmitted to CCC.
Thermal Image Sensor: Fitted next to the video camera is a thermal image sensor, often called the TI or FLIR (forward looking infra-red). This operates by determining the temperature of objects, which it scans to an accuracy of 0.1 of a degree and converts the information into a visible picture. The picture is displayed in black and white on the monitor; it can show black or white as hot depending on the observers' preference. The image produced on the TI is identical during daylight or darkness.
Downlink: In order that CCC and various other locations can view the pictures transmitted by the aircraft a retractable aerial is fitted to the left hand skid. The unit also has portable receivers allowing live pictures to be transmitted virtually all over the MPS. These pictures are transmitted in a digital format that is encoded to prevent interception of the pictures.
Skyshout PA System: For special events, the aircraft can be fitted with a public address system known as a ‘SkyShout’. This can be used at public order events to pass information to members of the public.
Nitesun: On the left skid of the aircraft is the ‘Nitesun’ searchlight. The power of the light is 30 million candlepower, it can be steered by the rear observer (Observer 2) or the pilot and can light up an area the size of a football pitch or pin point a single suspect in the darkness.
Tactical Radios: The aircraft has a comprehensive radio system enabling the crew to monitor and talk to units on the numerous channels; they are able to communicate on all MPS main channels and local borough radios, the main emergency channel of every police service in England and Wales and also the channel used by firearms officers and the London Fire Brigade. The aircraft also has two radio boxes for Air Traffic Control frequencies, which are constantly monitored by the pilot and observers. So it is possible that when you call the aircraft the observers could be listening to six different radio channels.
Role Equipment: Observer 2 has access to a range of camera equipment, which is kept in the back of the aircraft. There is a digital camera with a range of lenses. When taking pictures a special harness is worn by Observer 2, they then open the door and lean out to take pictures.
Also available to the crew are stabilised binoculars, handheld radios, a CD and DVD burner, a laptop, a mobile telephone, a portable downlink receiver and a set of officer safety equipment allowing the crew to land and make an arrest, if necessary.