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Airbus Helicopters completes its first year of transformation and successfully brings to the market three new helicopters in 2014

Paris, France, 27 January, 2015

Building on an unprecedented year of new product certification and introduction, Airbus Helicopters has set its sights on best serving its customers in a challenging global marketplace, with the priority on customer satisfaction, quality and safety, and competitiveness.

During 2014, Airbus Helicopters delivered 471 rotorcraft from the company’s civil, parapublic and military product lines and booked 402 net orders. In addition, the backlog was adjusted to include a reduction of 33 NH90s.

In Airbus Helicopters’ first year with its new identity and full integration into Airbus Group, the company achieved an unprecedented certification and service introduction of three new aircraft: the 7-metric-ton-category EC175, along with the medium-sized EC145 T2 and EC135 T3/P3 versions.

Airbus Helicopters also marked significant progress with its transformation plan in 2014 by further enhancing customer support and services, with safety as the top priority. New product development made important headway last year as well, clearing the way for a 2015 first flight of its next-generation X4 medium twin-engine rotorcraft – to be unveiled at the Heli-Expo trade show on March 3.

These elements are positioning Airbus Helicopters for the future as it adapts to the global rotorcraft sector’s realities, according to President Guillaume Faury.

“2015 should be a period of stabilization across our industry,” Faury explained. “In this context, Airbus Helicopters will continue its transformation, committed to working with our customers, offering them predictability and the right helicopters for their demanding missions.”

Highlights of 2014 included strong commercial results for the EC145 rotorcraft family in both civil and military versions, logging a near doubling of orders booked during the year; while annual deliveries of heavyweight helicopters surpassed the 100 milestone for the first time as the company provided 53 NH90s and 48 Super Pumas to customers.

December’s entry into service of the EC175 represented another key 2014 achievement, with this rotorcraft now operating on oil and gas installations in the North Sea. Deliveries and new contracts will continue in 2015, backed by the industrial ramp-up and a dedicated plan to ensure this helicopter’s maturity.

The first digital avionics suite to be fully designed and integrated by a rotorcraft manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters’ new Helionix® made its debut last year on both the EC175 and EC145 T2, further contributing to the company’s unique in-house know-how. Operators will benefit from the increased safety Helionix provides through reduced pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

On the commercial side in 2014, Airbus Helicopters stabilized its civil and parapublic market position with a 44 percent share in terms of aircraft delivered. Included in last year’s totals were strong deliveries of EC225s, accompanying this helicopter type’s return to service and the regain in customer confidence – with some oil and gas operators logging 90 percent fleet availability.

For military rotorcraft, Airbus Helicopters retained its market presence during 2014 with an 11 percent share in terms of units delivered. Milestones included completion of the Tiger attack helicopter program’s main development contract, enabling deliveries of the first Block 2 Tiger HAD fire support and destruction version to France and two of the HAD/E variant to Spain. The company received U.S. Army orders for 51 UH-72A Lakota, the Light Utility Helicopters version of the EC145.

Advances were made as well in Airbus Helicopters’ support and services, underscored by indicators of increasing fleet availability for customers and operators – backed by 98 percent of planned spare parts orders delivered on time. The company also established an extended warranty offer to include 3 years or 2,000 flight hours, with the first year of labor included. Taking effect on January 1, this initiative is aligned with Airbus Helicopters’ company-wide transformation and demonstrates the efforts placed on customer satisfaction.

Topping Airbus Helicopters’ 2014 priorities was the continued focus on safety, encompassing industry-leading efforts to propose and promote changes to enhance airworthiness, increase survivability and promote standardization of operator fleet safety-related capabilities. As part of this, the company released the rotorcraft industry’s first Flight Crew Operations Manual (FCOM), which outlines best practices and recommendations for EC225s used in oil and gas missions. Another 2014 initiative was the broader incorporation of Vision 1000 cockpit recorders across the Airbus Helicopters product line – to be included on all of its new aircraft deliveries in 2015.

“2015 will mark the second step in our company’s transformation, during which we will amplify our actions in executing faster and better, becoming more competitive, making our customers’ missions ours in every way, embracing change as a permanent asset, and performing with a purpose,” Faury concluded. “In the coming year, our goal is to provide what matters to our customers – when it matters the most.”

2014 at a glance

• Civil products represented 52 percent of consolidated turnover; military was 48 percent
• Airbus Helicopters’ products accounted for 58 percent of consolidated turnover; the other 42 percent was generated by services
• 54 percent of consolidated turnover came from Europe, the Middle East and Africa; 27 percent from the Americas and 19 percent from Asia and Pacific

The 402 net bookings in 2014 by product range

• EC120/Ecureuil/Fennec/EC130 family: 176
• EC135: 43
• EC145: 115
• Dauphin/Panther/ EC155 family: 28
• EC175: 8
• Super Puma/Cougar EC225/EC725 family: 32

About Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 44 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in more than 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its 29 customer centers and participations and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Botswana’s Police Air Support Branch orders three AS350 B3e from Airbus Helicopters

Support contract for the fleet in Bückeburg extended until 2022

Gaborone, 26 January 2015

Botswana’s Police Service today signed for a contract for three new AS350 B3e ‘Ecureuil” Airbus Helicopters aircraft for its Police Air Support Branch.

The new helicopters will be customised to the Botswana Police Service’s specification, including the installation of night vision equipment for night-time operations and other law enforcement equipment. The start of delivery of the new aircraft is scheduled for later in 2015.

The additional helicopters with their enhanced capability will fulfil Botswana’s requirement for an expanded airborne law enforcement and crime prevention force.

© Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa Pty Ltd

Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa General Manager, Arnaud Montalvo said: “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Botswana Police Air Support Unit and that it has selected the AS350 B3e, which has a proven pedigree in police missions – especially in hot and high conditions typical of the much of Botswana. We are confident these aircraft will make an enormous contribution to safeguarding the citizens of Botswana and their property”.

In addition to the helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will also train Botswana Police Air Support Branch pilots and mechanics.

The AS350 B3e is a member of Airbus Helicopters rugged and proven Ecureuil family and was selected for its unmatched performance and efficiency in Botswana’s typically hot and high elevation conditions. Its Turboméca Arriel 2D turbine engine generates greater power, giving the helicopter unmatched manoeuvrability, performance and payload versatility in comparison with other similar size machines.

Around the world, including Southern Africa, Airbus Helicopters’ products are the top-performing aircraft in their class and a firm favourite with law enforcement agencies. Like Botswana, the police in South Africa, Namibia and Angola have all selected Airbus Helicopters equipment, including numerous AS350 B2, B3 and B3e variants.

Worldwide, to date, Airbus Helicopters has sold more than 5,800 Ecureuil family aircraft (4, 900 are In-service), - including more than 1600 (1152 B3 / 476 B3e) B3 series machines – to some 1,800 operators in 120 countries, including numerous law enforcement and civic agencies.

About Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa (AHZA)
Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa (AHZA) Pty. Ltd. was formed in 1994. It is headquartered at Grand Central Airport close to Johannesburg and Pretoria and has service centres in Cape Town and Durban. AHZA serves a fleet of more than 230 helicopters.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Australian military’s new EC135 T2+ training helicopter takes to air

First flight within only two months of HATS contract signing

Donauwörth, Germany, 26 January 2015

The first EC135 T2+ helicopter in a planned fleet of modern, twin-engine, rotary-wing aircraft being acquired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for its new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS), has successfully completed its first flight in Europe.

Under the HATS project, a joint training scheme for both Army and Navy aircrew will utilise some 15 Airbus Helicopters EC135 T2+ trainers, along with EC135 flight simulators and a new flight-deck equipped, sea-going training vessel.

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) is the prime contractor for the new training system, partnered by Thales Australia which will provide the flight simulators.

The HATS No.1 EC135 T2+

(© Airbus Helicopters, Charles Abarr)

The first EC135 T2+ (Serial Nbr.1179) took off from the Airbus Helicopters’ production site in Donauwörth, Germany, where the helicopter is assembled at 14.37 local time on 16th January and landed back on site 57 mins later.

The Airbus Helicopters Flight Test Department reported the successful first flight had validated the full performance of the aircraft’s systems and engines, and that future flights would test specific customer equipment.

Said Peter Harris, Airbus Helicopters Head of Sales – Australia Pacific: “At Airbus Helicopters we are thrilled to have reached such a fantastic milestone in only two months from contract signing last November. This clearly demonstrates the commitment that we have towards supporting Boeing Defence Australia in meeting the ADF’s needs for training all future combat helicopter aircrew for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. We will take all of our milestones just as seriously.”

While the EC135 T2+ is a civil design helicopter, it has also proved to be a consummate military trainer. With a high-visibility glass cockpit, multi-axis auto-pilot and the performance and safety of a twin-engine helicopter replacing current single-engine types, it is similar to the multi-role and combat helicopters now in service with the ADF - including new-generation Tiger ARH and MRH90 helicopters - and meets all training, technical and safety requirements for future Army and Navy aircrews.

Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is scheduled for late 2018 although students will begin arriving earlier. When fully IOC the HATS system will accommodate up to 130 students a year covering pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrewmen, sensor operators and qualified aircrew returning for instructor training.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Realistic simulation training to enhance safety and capabilities of helicopter search and rescue missions

Singapore-based AS365 Dauphin simulator is the only such training device equipped with the CMA9000 system

Singapore, 21 January 2015

The AS365 Dauphin rotorcraft full-flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters’ Singapore-based training center has been upgraded to provide highly realistic training in both day and night search and rescue (SAR) operations, offering pilots the unique capability to safely practice these demanding life-saving missions.

The upgrade was made by Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia at its Seletar Aerospace Park facility, incorporating a CMA9000 flight management system into the AS365 motion-based flight simulator, and updating its APM 2010 4-axis autopilot with the SAR mode. It is the interface between these two avionics units that enhances the SAR operations training.

This will enable flight crews to experience the operational environment during SAR missions while using all capabilities of the CMA9000 system and APM 2010 autopilot – including flying with precision navigation guidance, performing search patterns and hovering, as well as scenarios for deploying rescue dinghies, flares and smoke markers.

The CMA9000 is a highly capable flight management system used on helicopters operated by many emergency services providers, law enforcement organizations and government agencies. The APM 2010 is a digital dual-duplex autopilot that reduces pilot workload for increased mission effectiveness and enhanced situational awareness – while providing unique automatic hover stability with very high precision.

“Airbus Helicopters’ firm commitment to flight safety is underscored by our upgrade of the flight simulator, which becomes the only system of its type in the world with this SAR mission training capability,” said Derek Sharples, the Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia. “Operators who fly Dauphin family rotorcraft, in particular the AS365 N3/N3+ civil version and the Panther AS565 MBe military variant, will benefit greatly from this training to handle SAR, which is one of the most challenging missions.”

Sharples added that pilots qualified on other aircraft that are equipped with the same systems also could utilize the simulator as a training device for system knowledge and familiarity.

Search and rescue training with the newly enhanced full flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia will begin in March, with the Royal Thai Police as the inaugural customer. This law enforcement agency currently operates one AS365 N3+ Dauphin configured for SAR missions with the CMA9000 flight management system, as well as an electrical hoist, rappelling installation, cargo sling and search lights. A second similarly-equipped AS365 N3+ will be delivered to the Royal Thai Police later this year.

The AS365 Dauphin full-flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia began operation in April 2012, and to date has been used for the training of more than 300 pilots from over 20 countries.

About Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia
Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia (AHSA) is the regional headquarters of Airbus Helicopters, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer. Established in 1977 in Singapore, AHSA is the training and technical hub, and handles sales and customer support activities of 15 territories in total. In 2013, AHSA achieved a turnover of 112 million euros. With a staff-strength of more than 220 professionals, the company has developed a successful commercial network of Singapore-based sales team and regional sales managers and technical representatives, servicing and maintaining more than 300 helicopters in the region. Website: www.airbushelicopters.com.sg

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Airbus Helicopters fleet surpasses the 10 million flight hour milestone in service with the oil and gas sector

Marignane, France, 14 January 2015

Utilized worldwide in some of the most challenging conditions, the deployed fleet of Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft in service for the oil and gas industry has accumulated more than 10 million flight hours as of the end of 2014.

The milestone marks a new achievement in the 50-plus year history of heli-lift duties performed by Airbus Helicopters’ product line. Operations began with the Alouette during the 1960s and continued with rotorcraft in the Super Puma, Dauphin and Ecureuil families. The reliable BO105 and Puma contributed, as did representatives from Airbus Helicopters’ EC135, EC145, and EC120 among others. Airbus Helicopters’ new-generation EC175 is also now a part of the oil and gas global fleet, as it began operations in the North Sea following the first delivery to NHV last December.

“Airbus Helicopters is proud to be an important part of the oil and gas sector’s development around the globe, and we are committed to continuing this relationship with capable aircraft that are backed by our company’s dedication to safety, reliability and efficiency,” said Christopher Grainger, Airbus Helicopters’ Vice President - Oil and Gas.

© Nicolas Gouhier / ABACA Press -2014

Of the estimated 2,300 rotorcraft used in oil and gas missions today, approximately 25 percent are produced by Airbus Helicopters. The leading geographic region is in the Americas, where the company’s helicopters have accumulated more than 4.12 million flight hours, followed by Europe (3.27 million flight hours), Asia (over 1.82 million flight hours), Africa (more than 557,000 flight hours) and Oceania (216,000 flight hours).

In addition to such established oil and gas zones as the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, Airbus Helicopters’ product line is increasingly utilized by operators in the evolving energy sector regions that range from China and Myanmar to Africa. Airbus Helicopters supports its international operator base by strategically locating resources that include spare parts centers, training facilities with full-flight simulators, as well as technical and safety representatives.

Airbus Helicopters’ leading rotorcraft for these operations is the workhorse Super Puma family, which accounts for approximately 2,785,000 of the total flight hours. The 11-ton-class EC225 has been further developed to meet users’ evolving requirements – especially the increasing distances involved for oil and gas transport missions. Among the enhancements are increased payload, additional fuel tank capacity, new cabin layouts for improved passenger comfort and new avionics to significantly increase pilots’ situational awareness while reducing workload. The EC225e, expected for certification and delivery in 2016, is poised to become the new asset for Oil & Gas operators. It will meet the evolving expectations of customers in the industry offering an even more cost effective aircraft that can also perform a 300-NM radius of action with a new seating layout.

A new era in heli-lift services has begun with the first delivery of Airbus Helicopters’ EC175. The 7-ton-class rotorcraft has been certified to the latest airworthiness standards, covering both the helicopter and its new Helionix® avionics suite. The helicopter’s radius-of-action in an oil and gas mission configuration enables 16 passengers to be transported to offshore rigs at distances of 140 nautical miles (NM.) on crew change flights, extending to nearly 200 NM. when 12 passengers are carried.

The light twin-engine EC145 T2 – evolved from Airbus Helicopters’ BK117/EC145 family with the latest state-of-the-art technology – is poised to meet the demands of missions requiring shorter range both onshore and offshore, and the first helicopters in this version were delivered in July 2014. Capable of seating up to 10-11 persons, the EC145 T2’s oil and gas version will be ready for service in 2015.

Also proven in oil and gas duties around the globe are Airbus Helicopters’ Dauphin family of medium-weight rotorcraft, and its Ecureuil series in both the single- and twin-engine configurations.

To view photos of the Airbus Helicopters 10 million flight hours celebration around the world, please visit: http://thewall.airbushelicopters.com/

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Airbus Helicopters Forging Ties With Innovative SMEs

Marignane, December 18, 2014

Airbus Helicopters officially launched its new Open Innovation platform at an event attended by Airbus Helicopters’ Executive Vice President of Engineering, the PEGASE center of excellence and a number of French SMEs. The program gives creative companies looking to break into new markets the opportunity to support Airbus Helicopters in its innovation strategy.

The launch featured an appraisal of the calls for expertise made since 2012 as part of the Helicopter of the Future project. Though responding to a specific set of objectives, these calls have yielded convincing results and have paved the way for Airbus Helicopters’ fresh approach to innovation.

Created to support new technologies applicable to the helicopter industry in the short term, the Open Innovation platform allows innovative companies to offer their services to Airbus Helicopters. Selection is based on predefined criteria, which include the following: a sufficiently high degree of technological maturity, the possibility of a rapid return on investment, the ability to integrate the specific characteristics of the aerospace industry, and a positive impact on customer satisfaction and quality of service.

The Open Innovation platform offers the creators of selected projects a partnership with Airbus Helicopters through a predefined contractual framework encompassing specific aspects of innovation, such as the development of expertise and intellectual property, and the potential for industrial development over time.

Though the program is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises, it is open to all legal entities possessing a suitable industrial or scientific framework.

Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus Helicopters Executive Vice President Engineering: “Airbus Helicopters has always sought to make SMEs an integral part of its industrial strategy, and the Open Innovation program is the latest proof of that. Thanks to a mutually beneficial and enriching partnership for all parties, it gives innovative SMEs an opportunity to make themselves known and develop.”

Currently oriented towards French companies, the program will very shortly be opened up to businesses around the world.

Companies wishing to sign up for the Open Innovation program or obtain more information may access the portal at the Airbus Helicopters website, the Partner Portal https://partner.eurocopter.com/OpenInnovation/ or, from February 2015, at https://partner.airbus.com/OpenInnovation/.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Airbus Helicopters delivers the first NH90 and the first two HAD-E Tigers to the Spanish Ministry of Defense

Albacete, December 18, 2014

Airbus Helicopters has completed official delivery of the first two Tiger helicopters in the new HAD-E version and the first NH90 GSPA tactical transport helicopter destined for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET).

These three helicopters were assembled in the Spanish plant in Albacete, which successfully carried out the industrial phase, airworthiness certification and technical acceptance.

“The delivery of these three helicopters is a very important milestone for our company and we wish to thank the Spanish Ministry of Defense for trusting in us,” declared Francisco Vergé, CEO of Airbus Helicopters España. “Our close relationship with the Spanish Army and the different departments of the Directorate-General of Armament and Equipment (DGAM) has been crucial to ensuring the success of these two high-tech programs”.

© Luis Vizcaíno

The NH90 is the backbone of the industrial projects at Airbus Helicopters España. It was the first program to be promoted by the Spanish Secretariat of Defense, with the support of the Ministry of Industry through the DGAM. Its aim is to meet the operational needs of the three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces through a common platform adapted to the requirements of each mission and featuring all the latest technological developments. In this way, it seeks to improve effectiveness and streamline operating expenses by reducing and modernizing the current fleet of helicopters and ensuring their sustainability over time.

Airbus Helicopters España will supply a total of 22 NH90 helicopters to the Spanish Armed Forces under a delivery schedule that continues through to 2021. The Spanish plant is responsible for assembly of all the NH90 helicopters for the Spanish Armed Forces, along with manufacture of the front fuselage section both for the Spanish helicopters and for those destined for export.
The Spanish version of the NH90, the GSPA, has been designed to perform technical missions such as troop transport, search and rescue missions, personnel recovery and medical evacuation. It is equipped for day and night operations in all types of environments.

As for the combat helicopters, Tiger deliveries belong to the new HAD-E version, which offers numerous advantages compared to the HAP-E Tigers currently in service: a new MTR-E turboshaft with 14% more power, an improved optronic vision system, Spike air-to-ground missiles, an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system coupled with an interrogator and a new electronic warfare and countermeasure system.

The Spanish Army purchased a total of 24 of these helicopters. To date, six HAP-E Tiger helicopters have been delivered to the Attack Helicopter Battalion. Their satisfactory deployment in Afghanistan during 2013 represents an important milestone for this helicopter.

The Industrial Participation Plan designed for these programs has ensured that Spanish industry, headed by Airbus Helicopters España, is fully involved in the entire life cycle for these helicopters, from the design stage through to flight testing and certification, component manufacture, the final assembly line and integrated support. Albacete is the only site that manufactures the rear fuselage section of the Tiger helicopter and the front fuselage of the NH90.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact: