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Council hears study session on helicopter 'downlink' video tech; remaining upfit cost estimated at $230,000
Summary
Police and fire staff briefed the council on tests of cellular and Starlink downlink options for the city’s MD530 helicopters and recommended outfitting remaining aircraft. Staff said the remaining cost to upfit two helicopters is about $230,000 and argued the capability saves lives and aids mutual‑aid partners.
Huntington Beach police and fire officials briefed the council on recent testing of real‑time helicopter video downlink systems and recommended completing upfits on the remaining aircraft to enable cellular/Starlink hybrid streaming and in‑air Wi‑Fi.
Lieutenant Toby Archer described the department’s evaluation of RF/microwave, cellular and Starlink technologies; RF was effectively ruled out because of…
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