The skies of Chicago are set to become more vigilant, as the city's police department and Mayor Brandon Johnson showcased the new addition to their aerial fleet on Friday – a Bell 429 helicopter. This state-of-the-art twin-engine chopper is the first of three planned helicopters to bolster the Chicago Police Department's resources, with the upgrades arriving just in time for the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
With a cruising speed of 174 mph, the Bell 429 represents a significant step up from the department's existing aircraft, some of which have been in service since 1994 and are often sidelined for maintenance. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the city has utilized a portion of the $75 million in federal security funding received from the Department of Justice towards the $11 million cost of the new helicopter. The upgrades, which also include two Bell 407 single-engine helicopters slated to arrive by year's end, come with a total price tag of $22.8 million, though the amended contract raises concerns about potential costs up to $37 million.
Much more than a high-speed transportation device, the Bell 429 is equipped with night vision capabilities, a loudspeaker, and gear for rappelling operations. "With its cutting edge technology and multi-mission assets, the Bell 407GXi and Bell 429 continue to be platforms of choice for public safety agencies around the world," Bell Textron stated in a release obtained by WGN News. The helicopters' versatility is expected to aid in managing the anticipated protests and large crowds during the DNC, as well as in combating persistent issues like carjackings and robberies.
The helicopter made a buzzworthy appearance at the Chicago Air and Water Show ahead of its official unveiling, an event held at Soldier Field's south lot. Mayor Johnson conjured a light moment at the news conference, quipping, "Helicopters don’t age as well as I do," and humorously mentioning the need to persuade his wife to allow him a ride. Continuing more seriously, Johnson told the Chicago Sun-Times, “This is a testament to our commitment to investing in tools that help the police department solve crimes. … It’s a step forward in our journey to a safer Chicago."
