Helinet to upgrade downlink system for airborne law enforcement

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has awarded a contract to Helinet Technologies to develop and support a technology upgrade of the microwave downlink system designed for the department’s Air Support Division (ASD).

Under the contract, Helinet will upgrade the downlink to a multiband transmission design and make it fully interoperable with the aerial broadcast systems of regional law enforcement partners including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Long Beach Police Department and the FBI.

Helinet Technologies chief operating officer Ron Magocsi said that the new downlink provides a seamless connection for LAPD to the aerial resources of multiple law enforcement, public safety and broadcast partners in the Southern California region.

"Technology that supports frictionless inter-agency coordination and sharing of data resources is a critical component of law enforcement and public safety agency response, particularly during large scale operations," Magocsi added.

Helinet will also provide documentation, training and ongoing support in addition to to designing and deploying the upgrade, as part of the contract.

The Helinet-built Microwave Downlink System, a key ASD asset, allows air crews to transmit uninterrupted HD video and data from LAPD aircraft to ground personnel and command sites in real time.

LAPD Air Support Division support section officer-in-charge sergeant Jorge Gonzalez said, "Helinet has been a valued partner in supporting our airborne law enforcement operations over the past decade and has an excellent track record in developing multiband downlink systems for other major public safety and government agencies."

In addition to enhancing regional security, preparedness and emergency response operations, the system enables the LAPD to seamlessly receive and share aerial video, audio and data transmissions with multiple partners on a continuous, always-on basis.