This is a helicopter, Eurocopter AS-350 that has been flying around the Houston TX area. It is equipped with camera and possibly cell phone detection radio. It is operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Tonight I heard it flying over my house at 100+ kts at 1000 ft and it was audible, normal for a helicopter, but a few weeks ago when it was loitering (circling) at 1600 feet and slower speed it was faintly perceptible from inside the house. The flight patterns are quite variable from day to day. Seems like the operators are in leaning mode and trying to refine their tactics. A couple of nights ago this helicopter joined up with one of the Houston Police helicopters (N5280F). N5280F flew low (400') and N191TX flew high (1400') and loitered over a highway interchange. Both were circling clockwise viewed from above.
This is one of the DPS 100-series helos. There's nothing terribly fancy about them... they have camera, FLIR, Nightsun, terrestrial and satellite communications equipment (public safety voice, data, and video/data uplink/downlink stuff), etc. Just your average police helicopter... not a "spy copter".
