The border security plan the Senate approved last
week includes unusual language mandating the purchase of specific models of
helicopters and radar equipment for deployment along the U.S.-Mexican border,
providing a potential windfall worth tens of millions of dollars to top defense
contractors.
The legislation would require the U.S. Border Patrol
to acquire, among other items, six Northrop Grumman airborne radar systems that
cost $9.3 million each, 15 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters that average more
than $17 million apiece, and eight light enforcement helicopters made by
American Eurocopter that sell for about $3 million each. The legislation
also calls for 17 UH-1N helicopters made by Bell Helicopter, an older model
that the company no longer manufactures.
The Black Hawk helicopters required under the plan
include five of the latest high-tech models with digital cockpits. As for the
American Eurocopter aircraft, the patrol would be required to add eight AS-350
models to the 85 it already has in its fleet.
