Office of CBP Air and Marine - Aviation Resources

Aviation Resources

Lockheed Orion P-3B AEW

The P-3 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Detection and Monitoring (D&M) aircraft are the only law enforcement AEW aircraft in the world. They were developed to provide wide area search, increased command control, and communications capabilities.

OAM’s P-3s are high-endurance, all-weather, tactical turbo-prop aircraft, which are utilized primarily for long-range patrols along the entire U.S. border, and in source and transit zone countries, throughout Central and South America. The aircraft carries a crew of eight (pilot, copilot, flight engineer, and radar/sensor operators), are routinely sent on temporary duty to support the United States and foreign government initiatives to stem smuggling into the United States. With the escalation of terrorist threats and the commitment of Department of Defense (DOD) AEW assets in other regions of the world, OAM P-3s have also assumed a significant role in Homeland Security efforts.

Lockheed Orion P-3 Long Range Tracker (LRT)

The P-3 LRT aircraft are high-endurance, all-weather, tactical turbo-prop aircraft used by OAM to intercept and track airborne smuggling threats. With the escalation of terrorist threats and the commitment of DOD AEW assets in other regions of the world, OAM P-3s have assumed a significant role in Homeland Security efforts.

Key to the success of the P-3’s are their endurance, small deployment footprint, and extensive sensor array. The aircraft can operate from most 8,000-foot runways and carries a crew of eight (pilot, copilot, flight engineer, and radar/sensor operators). The aircraft are supported by a ground maintenance team of only three people.

OAM P-3 LRT aircraft often fly in tandem with the P-3 AEW. Used in this manner, the P-3 AEW detects and tracks multiple targets and the accompanying P-3 LRT long-range tracker, intercepts, identifies and tracks those suspect targets.

Bombardier DHC-8Q200

The Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 is a multirole patrol aircraft (MPA) equipped with multimode radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors that can detect and track maritime and surface targets. It can also be converted to a cargo configuration or into a 37-passenger aircraft, making it an ideal aircraft to respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies.

The first OAM Dash 8 Q200 MPA was placed in service in August 2005 and was used extensively during the days following Hurricane Katrina to carry law enforcement officers, flight crews and other personnel, supplies and equipment to New Orleans. A second Dash 8 was delivered in mid 2006 and a third aircraft was delivered in February 2008. The fourth aircraft was delivered in December 2008.

OAM also utilizes Dash-8 Q300 MPAs. All OAM Dash-8's employ powerful surface search radar, cameras, advanced tracking software and other sensor equipment to secure America's maritime border. OAM's Dash-8's are widely recognized as some of the most capable and powerful maritime patrol aircraft in the world.

Cessna 550 Citation II

Cessna Citation II Interceptor aircraft are all-weather tactical jets used by OAM to intercept and track airborne drug smugglers and to enforce airspace security over critical venues. The Citation has also been used effectively in Panama, Honduras, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico and Aruba.

OAM began utilizing the Cessna Citation in the late 1970s as a high-speed interceptor and tracker.

OAM’s Citation Interceptors, which fly with a crew of three (pilot, copilot, and sensor operator), have the ability to operate from remote landing strips. The Citation II were the first commercial aircraft fitted with fire-control radar from the USAF F-16 Falcon, to be used in a law enforcement capacity.

Pilatus PC-12

The Pilatus PC-12 is the single-engine turbo-prop aircraft that will replace the aging C-12 Huron aircraft currently in OAM’s fleet. The PC-12 combines the slow-speed capability of a Cessna 210 with the payload and high-speed capabilities of a C-12 Huron. These characteristics enable the Multirole Enforcement Aircraft to deploy rapidly and operate safely in remote areas.

These aircraft have enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of OAM by providing:

1. Increased mission versatility, including air interdiction, aerial surveillance and logistical support
2. Removable sensor consoles and retractable state of-the-art EO/IR sensors
3. Reduced operating costs

Key to the success of the PC-12s, which fly with a crew of two (pilot and sensor operator), are their endurance, small deployment footprint, and extensive sensor array. The aircraft have short-field capabilities of mission take-off in 2,300 ft. and landing distance of 1,800 ft.

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III

The Cheyenne III Interceptor are high-endurance, all-weather, tactical turbo-prop aircraft, designed for OAM specifically for long-range missions with fire-control radar from the USAF F-16 Falcon and FLIR. These aircraft, which fly with a crew of three (pilot, copilot, and sensor operator), can operate from remote landing strips and are utilized to intercept and track airborne smugglers.

C-12/King Air Series

The King Air, C-12C, and C-12M maritime surveillance aircraft are a medium range, twin turbo-prop aircraft used by CBP OAM. These aircraft support investigation and enforcement efforts by conducting surveillance, tracking, and intelligence missions with equipment specifically designed for missions, to include over water operations.

Their secondary mission is the logistical relocation of personnel, equipment, or evidence that is time critical to investigation and enforcement actions. As an interdiction tracker, this aircraft can play a role in drug interdiction missions when accompanied by the C-550 Interceptor or a P-3 flying as a radar platform or an Interceptor.

In September 2009 Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded a competitive contract to provide Air and Marine Multirole Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) based on the Beechcraft King Air 350ER.

Cessna C-172/182

The C-172/182 surveillance aircraft are short to medium-range, piston-powered aircraft used by the OAM to support investigative and enforcement efforts by conducting surveillance, tracking, photographic and intelligence gathering missions.

OAM’s C-172/182 surveillance aircraft, which fly with a crew of two (pilot and observer), are particularly effective platforms for law enforcement operations. They provide better range and endurance than helicopters and blend more effectively with local traffic to mask the presence of continuous air surveillance.

Cessna C-206/210 Turbo Centurion

The C-206/210 surveillance aircraft are short- to medium range, piston-powered aircraft used by CBP OAM to support investigative and enforcement efforts by conducting surveillance, tracking, photographic and intelligence gathering missions.

Their secondary mission is the logistical relocation of personnel, equipment or evidence that are time critical to investigative and enforcement actions.

OAM’s C-206/210 surveillance aircraft, which fly with a crew of two (pilot and observer), are very effective platforms for law enforcement operations outside of large metropolitan areas. They provide better range and endurance than helicopters and blend more effectively with local traffic to mask the presence of continuous air surveillance.

Piper PA-18

The Piper PA-18 aircraft are short- to medium-range, piston-powered aircraft used by OAM to support enforcement efforts by conducting tracking and general support for ground units.

PA-18 Light Enforcement aircraft have a standard crew of one Pilot and are effective platforms for law enforcement operations due to their ability to fly slow and loiter in an area for prolonged periods. They provide better range and endurance and blend more effectively with local traffic to mask the presence of continuous air surveillance.

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters are long-distance, all weather, tactical apprehension aircraft used by the OAM to protect the American public from threats of terrorism and drug smuggling and to enforce airspace security over critical venues.

OAM’s UH-60As, which usually fly with a crew of three (pilot, copilot and crew members), are large, powerful helicopters, which can carry all the equipment and personnel necessary for law enforcement operations without sacrificing range and speed. In addition, they are well suited to the all weather hazardous environments in which OAM routinely operates.

AgustaWestland AW-139

AW-139 helicopters are long-distance, all weather, tactical apprehension aircraft used by the Office of Air and Marine to protect the American public from threats of terrorism and drug smuggling and to enforce airspace security over critical venues.

OAM’s AW-139s, which usually fly with a crew of three (pilot, copilot and crewmember), are large, powerful helicopters, which can carry all the equipment and personnel necessary for law enforcement operations without sacrificing range and speed. In addition, they are well suited to the all weather hazardous environments in which OAM routinely operates.

Bell UH-1

The UH-1 Helicopters are short- to medium-range, turbine-powered helicopters used by OAM to perform tactical and utility missions along the border.

The UH-1 heavy lift capability allows the aircraft to be support agents in high altitude and hot environments

OAM’s UH-1 Helicopter flies with a crew of 2 (pilot and copilot) and has a secondary mission to provide lift recovery, through external capabilities of drug seizures and equipment.

Aerospatiale AS-350 A-Star

The AS-350 Surveillance Helicopters are medium-range, turbine-powered helicopters used by OAM to perform aerial reconnaissance of stationary or moving targets.

Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH) are the optimal aerial surveillance platform in metropolitan areas because their vertical lift capability and maneuverability enable operations from off-airport sites and in close proximity to congested airports. EO/IR sensors and video downlink provide intelligence and communications support that enhance officer safety during high-risk operations and increase covertness during surveillance operations. Video recorders document suspect activities for evidentiary use. The AS-350s, which fly with a crew of two (pilot and observer), are one of the few helicopters that maintain their performance from sea level up to 9,000 feet.

McDonnell Douglas MD-500 LEH

MD-500 Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH) are short- to medium-range, turbine-powered helicopters used by OAM primarily as a light observation helicopter for tracking and general support for ground units.

The MD-500 is a highly effective aerial surveillance platform in border areas. Its maneuverability enables operations from off-airport sites and in metropolitan areas.

OAM’s MD-500 Light Enforcement Helicopter flies with a crew of 1(Pilot).

American Eurocopter EC120

EC-120 Helicopters are short-to-medium-range, turbine-powered helicopters which will be used by OAM primarily as a light observation helicopter for tracking and general ground unit support.

OAM’s EC-120 helicopter, which flies with a crew of 1 (Pilot), will provide a highly effective aerial surveillance platform in the border desert areas.

MQ-9 Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System

The MQ-9 Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is a force multiplier for CBP and its border security mission. OAM UASs began their service by supporting Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers on the U.S./Mexico border. In January 2009, UAS operations began on the U.S./Canadian border. In addition, it allows CBP to assist with non border related operations within other DHS organizations like the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, such as search and rescue or disaster relief. OAM works closely with the Department of Defense to gain efficiencies in acquisition, testing, training and deployment of the Predator B.

CBP selected the Predator B for its large payload and ability to remain in the air longer than other UASs. CBP’s Air and Marine Operations Center (AMOC) in Riverside, CA provides liaison from the UAS to other agencys within and outside of CBP. Command and control of the UAS is through KU-band satellite communications.

Retired OAM Aircraft

Hughes OH-6
McDonnell Douglas MD-600N