Corporate

Durable market presence and innovation are Airbus Helicopters’ focus at Farnborough 2014

Marignane, France, 11 July 2014 – Airbus Helicopters’ Farnborough International Airshow participation will emphasize the company’s long-standing commitment to the U.K.’s civil and military markets through its diversified helicopter product line, along with the company’s innovation for further improvements in rotorcraft performance, efficiency and reliability.

During the biennial industry gathering at the UK’s Farnborough Airport this month, Airbus Helicopters’ significant role in the global law enforcement marketplace is to be underscored by scale models of the twin-engine EC135 T3/P3 in police and EC145 T2 in passenger configuration.
With a civil market share of 49%, Airbus Helicopters is market leader in the UK as well as in each civil market segment (EMS, Public Services, Private/Business Aviation, Commercial, and Oil & Gas). In addition to bolstering the country’s security capability, Airbus Helicopters aircraft represent the backbone of the U.K. emergency services, and perform vital functions underpinning the nation’s critical infrastructure. In its forty years developing the nation’s civil market, today’s leading involvement in the police and emergency sectors demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to providing support where it is most needed.

Copyright Airbus Helicopters, Charles ABARR

Airbus Helicopters’ pursuit of innovative technologies will also be spotlighted at the air show with a presentation of the high-compression engine project – a collaborative effort to validate the use of improved-efficiency internal combustion engines in helicopters as part of Europe’s Clean Sky initiative. Working with a consortium that also includes engine manufacturers AustroEngine and TEOS, the goal is to demonstrate a high-compression engine’s potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, while providing power-to-weight ratios needed for helicopter applications.

A high-compression engine currently is completing its test bench evaluations at Airbus Helicopters, and will be installed on an EC120 for ground-based testing. A scale model of the engine will be displayed on the Clean Sky initiative’s Farnborough Airshow exhibit (Hall 4, IZ/B10).

“For Airbus Helicopters’ first appearance in its new branding at the Farnborough Airshow, we are highlighting how our expertise and technologies develop our products’ capabilities, operational efficiency, and safety,” explained Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury. “It also is an opportunity to underscore our critical role in many of the UK’s civil and military operations, from training to public services.”

Airbus Helicopters will be exhibiting with the Airbus Group at Farnborough (Pavilion #OE13), where its scale models and video presentation featuring its training successes are to be displayed. They highlight the company’s role as a preferred manufacturer for law enforcement and security agencies, which is confirmed in the UK by Airbus Helicopters’ supply of rotorcraft to more than half of the country’s police air support units – backed by a full range of support and training solutions.

With the EC135 and EC145 in wide use by operators around the world, Airbus Helicopters has enhanced both rotorcraft as part of the company’s product evolution strategy. The latest EC135 T3/P3 version, due to be certified and delivered to initial customers this year, features increased flight performance and a higher maximum takeoff weight – benefitting from a larger main rotor, modernized FADEC flight control software and other changes.

© Copyright Laurie GILBERT

The EC145 also has been improved in its EC145 T2 version – now certified for customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2014, with improvements that include integration of the company’s signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, the installation of new Arriel 2E engines, the use of upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, along with the integration of an advanced cockpit based on Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix® digital avionics suite with a 4-axis autopilot.

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 subsidiaries 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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Airbus Helicopters UK welcomes Colin James as new Managing Director to lead its UK rotorcraft business

Oxford, 10 July 2014 – Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd. has appointed Colin James as Managing Director, effective first of August. Mr. James, who has been leading Airbus Helicopter's Engineering Test Centre organisation in the company's Donauworth and Marignane facilities, succeeds Markus Steinke to head up the UK branch of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer.

Within Airbus Helicopter’s Research and Development directorate, Mr. James, aged 46, was responsible for engineering activities concerning Aircraft Vehicle & Systems Testing, Research and Development Simulation, Flight Training Devices, Systems Maintainability & Ground Support Products. He has been directly responsible for some of the company’s most noted flight and engineering test achievements in recent years.

A graduate of Staffordshire University, Mr. James started his professional career at Eurocopter in 1992 in the field of software development and integration on real time avionics systems. In 2001 he participated in the successful contract negotiations leading to the sale of the Tiger helicopter to Australia, and went on to manage the subsequent helicopter development contract, including the set-up of a local Australian Systems Support Centre. In 2006, he moved to France to manage the transnational engineering activities of Airbus Helicopters in the field of Communication and Navigation systems. Since 2009, he has been acting as Vice President of Engineering in his current perimeter, leading to his involvement in the development activities of all existing and new Airbus Helicopter aircraft types.

© Airbus Helicopters

Mr. James’s background ensures that the UK is ideally placed to benefit from the most cutting-edge technology and know-how in the company, while his expertise and specialisation will help to continue improving Airbus Helicopter UK’s products and services.

Markus Steinke, who has led the UK helicopter business for the last six years, will now move to Airbus Group Headquarters in Toulouse as Vice President Post Merger Integration and Carve-Out Management. Airbus Helicopters thanks Mr. Steinke for his work, where he has consistently grown the business, successfully managed the integration of acquisitions, established Airbus Helicopters as domestic supplier to the UK MoD with the RAF Puma upgrade programme, and implemented innovative customer service solutions, such as the implementation of a dedicated Oil & Gas Service Center in Aberdeen. Mr. Steinke also extended Airbus Helicopters’ civil leadership into new mission segments, such as the first use of helicopters for windfarm maintenance in the UK, all the while maintaining the company’s level of dedication to customers, as during the 2012 Olympic games in London, where Airbus Helicopters delivered 100 percent availability in air support.

About Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd.
Airbus Helicopters UK Limited – Britain’s civil helicopter hub – and its predecessors have been present and highly active in the United Kingdom for 40 years, dominating the civil rotary-wing sector. Its contribution to the aerospace sector of the national economy includes the development of police aviation with a 75 percent market share, a 70 percent share of the air ambulance sector, and well over 50 percent of the offshore oil and gas market.
Airbus Helicopters UK Limited is headquartered in Oxford, with additional bases in Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Hawarden (Wales) and Aberdeen (Scotland) and provides the full range of products and services for the rotary-wing sector, including prime contractor for the RAF Puma Mk2 upgrade and support programmes.
Some 450 Airbus helicopters form the largest part of the UK's helicopter fleet and the backbone of vital national infrastructure, with approximately 100 helicopters serving the UK Ministry of Defence for transport, training and high end operational missions. To date, Airbus Helicopters UK Limited has exported high technology helicopter solutions to 23 nations worldwide. The Airbus group employs more than 1500 people across the British Isles.

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 subsidiaries 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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Airbus Helicopters’ EC175 full-flight simulator is ready for service

Marignane, 8 July 2014 – The first Level D full-flight simulator for Airbus Helicopters’ EC175 rotorcraft has received airworthiness certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), enabling launch pilots to be trained with this high-fidelity system.

“Safety and support are of the utmost importance to Airbus Helicopters. Our introduction of these training systems responds to customers’ needs and expectations ahead of the first EC175 deliveries later this year,” said Matthieu Louvot, Head of Airbus Helicopters’ Support & Services. “Our investment in such resources will enable a rapid and smooth service entry for the EC175, followed by its successful operation for years to come.”

Located at the Helisim Training Academy adjacent to Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters and production facility at Marignane, France, the motion-based EC175 full-flight simulator incorporates a state-of-the-art visual projection system with a 210-deg. by 80-deg. continuous field of view.

The simulator was built by global technology firm Indra in close cooperation with Airbus Helicopters in its role as the EC175 manufacturer, and is equipped with the same data pack, avionics suite and automatic flight control system as the actual EC175 rotorcraft.

© Airbus Helicopters, Jérôme Deulin

Utilizing a motion system, computer-generated visual scenes and accurate representations of cockpit instrumentation, the simulator allows specific mission scenarios to be “flown,” including landings on off-shore platforms for oil and gas operations – enabling the most realistic flight conditions for immersive training.

Initial EC175 simulator sessions with EC175 customers have already begun using an Indra fixed-base Flight Navigation Procedures Trainer (FNPT III), which will also be used for Oil & Gas training modules. Courses for mechanics and avionics technicians are also offered on a Practical Maintenance Training Device – which represents the full-scale aircraft.

In addition to the Europe-based training systems at Helisim, another EC175 Level D full-flight simulator will be located in the United States to serve the offshore oil and gas industry throughout the Americas.

Airbus Helicopters will begin EC175 deliveries later this year to the first customers, backed by the company’s commitment to provide a mature helicopter with a dedicated task force and tools that include validated support and services deliverables, as well as established training capabilities.

The EC175 was developed in close consultation with operators, providing a medium twin-engine helicopter suited for a wide range of missions – including offshore crew transport, search and rescue, private transport, utility, and medical evacuation operations. It features Airbus Helicopters’ new Helionix® avionics suite and a digital 4-axis autopilot that increases safety through reduced pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

About Indra
Indra, chaired by Javier Monzón, is Spain's number 1 consulting and technology multinational and one of the main multinationals in Europe and Latin America. Innovation and sustainability are the cornerstone of its business, having assigned over €570 million to R&D&I in the last three years, a figure that places it among the top European companies in its sector in terms of investment. With approximate sales of €3,000 M, 61% of its sales revenue is from the international market. It has 42,000 employees and customers in over 138 countries

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 subsidiaries 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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Airbus Helicopters signs 123 rotorcraft over five years with three general aviation operators in China

Beijing, July 07, 2014 – On the occasion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s state visit in Beijing where she met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Airbus Helicopters signs a record 123 civil helicopters with three customers from various Chinese provinces today. The rotorcraft will be used for general aviation activities covering multiple missions including utility work, aerial tours, passenger transport, business aviation, emergency medical services and search and rescue.

The three contracts were signed with Fujian Xinmei General Aviation Co. (GAC), Guangdong Baiyun GAC and Yunnan Fengxiang GAC. The total fleet of 123 helicopters comprises mainly light single-engine helicopters from Airbus Helicopters’ Ecureuil family, as well as the light twin-engine EC135.
“We are grateful to the operators for selecting Airbus Helicopters to be their partner in developing the general aviation market to serve China’s needs,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury. “It is evident that China’s relaxation of its low-altitude airspace regulations is enabling the country’s burgeoning helicopter market to realize its potential.”

Fujian Xinmei GAC will be acquiring five units of the AS350 B3e to be delivered this year. Together with their existing AS350 B3e acquired in 2012, Xinmei will become one of the biggest operators of this helicopter type in China. The company, whose core activities include agricultural and utility missions, has also committed to an additional 50 units in the coming six years, made up of light single-engine and light twin-engine helicopters.

Guangdong Baiyun GAC has placed an order for 50 helicopters, consisting of Ecureuil and EC135 helicopters. An EC130 T2 from the Ecureuil family will be delivered this year; while the first three EC135 T2e will arrive by April 2015. The remaining aircraft are expected in the country in the next five years, as Baiyun aims to grow its business in general aviation, particularly in the relatively new segments of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), search and rescue and corporate transportation.

Finally, Yunnan Fengxiang GAC, a new general aviation enterprise focused on investing and developing the business of utility operations, is acquiring 18 units of the AS350 B3e, on top of their existing two AS350 B3e. The first four helicopters are scheduled to be delivered this year. The remaining 14 aircraft are expected in the next two years, and Fengxiang intends to engage in multiple missions including aerial tours, business aviation and even HEMS.

“The Ecureuil and EC135 are the most successful light helicopters globally,” added Norbert Ducrot, President of Airbus Helicopters China. “The agreements signed today show that Chinese customers are making the right choice in selecting these aircraft types, which already occupy 60% of the light helicopters market in China.”

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 subsidiaries 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:

ASEAN Helicopter Safety Team set up to improve safety in civil helicopter operations

Airbus Helicopters hosts inaugural steering committee meeting in Singapore

Singapore, 30th June 2014

With Asia poised to be the fastest growing helicopter market in the coming years, key industry players from the ASEAN Helicopter Safety Team (AHEST) held the inaugural steering committee meeting this month to initiate actions to improve safety in civil helicopter operations in this region.

AHEST was founded in late 2013 to expand the mandate of the global International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) with actions in the 10-country region covered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China. Similar Safety Teams in Asia have also been established in India and Japan.
With safety as an utmost priority for Airbus Helicopters, coupled with its extensive network of local entities in this region, Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia welcomed the opportunity to work with AHEST to kick-start the Safety Team’s actions in Southeast Asia.

Airbus Helicopters has been a key supporter and contributor of the IHST since its inception in 2006. Demonstrating its deep belief in helicopter safety and the IHST initiative, Airbus Helicopters personnel participate actively in the various safety teams set up around the world, including holding senior appointments at the IHST executive committee level.

The inaugural AHEST meeting, held at Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia based in Singapore, saw a gathering of 15 participants from a diverse industry group comprising manufacturers, operators, regulators and customers.
Leading the steering committee is David Leithner, the Flight Safety and Quality Manager of CHC Helicopters in Miri, Malaysia, who stated that “In uniting stakeholders from the helicopter industry, AHEST is committed to establishing international partnerships that can reverse negative helicopter industry safety trends and improve the helicopter safety culture overall.”

Copyright Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia

AHEST bases its safety improvement approach on collaborative efforts within the helicopter industry – encouraging the development of risk awareness and implementation of safety actions by sharing lessons learnt through accident analysis.

“Such voluntary efforts amongst stakeholders will complement regulatory actions and greatly enhance safety standards, moving us one step closer to the IHST’s aim of reducing international civil helicopter accident rates,” added Leithner.

In moving forward, Leithner said AHEST will continue to expand its line-up of industry stakeholders and regulators, and implement an active outreach program that facilitates the promotion and distribution of readily-available safety publications and toolkits. The outreach program also will be used to capture input and feedback on the state of the regional industry and its challenges.

“The broad representation of experts at AHEST’s inaugural steering committee meeting demonstrates the strong commitment of key stakeholders to jointly address safety issues in the helicopter sector,” added Derek Sharples, the managing director of Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia, who welcomed attendees to the company’s facility at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park. “We are honoured to have played a key role in kick-starting this initiative for ASEAN and see this as our responsibility as a major helicopter manufacturer to ensure its success.”

About ASEAN Helicopter Safety Team (AHEST)
AHEST was founded in late 2013 to expand the efforts of the International Helicopter Safety Team in the Asean area and China through a collaboration that engages and joins stakeholders from industry and government across the region.
Amongst its core initiatives is an active outreach program to create awareness about key factors leading to operational incidents and about readily available tools and resources which can assist all types of organizations to address safety related issues and to mitigate the risks associated with helicopter operations.

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 subsidiaries 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:

Aerial Power Lines pioneers aerial power grid services in Malaysia with Airbus Helicopters

Kuala Lumpur, 26 June 2014

Newly delivered AS350 B3e and EC135 T2e to kick-start company’s operations in untapped market segment

The delivery of Airbus Helicopters‟ initial two rotorcraft to Aerial Power Lines Sdn Bhd (APL) will enable this Malaysian operator to offer competitive solutions for electrical power line construction, maintenance and surveillance – furthering the country‟s evolution as a developed nation.

Provided to APL during a ceremony today at the Airbus Helicopters Malaysia subsidiary in Subang were an AS350 B3e and EC135 T2e, which are the evolved versions of the manufacturer‟s workhorse single-engine AS350 Ecureuil family and its popular twin-engine EC135 product line.
APL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Cable Berhad (SCABLE), and the only company approved by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia to perform aerial power line operations in the country.

In developing its services plan, APL implemented a strategic alignment with Airbus Helicopters and the French national electrical grid operator, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE). This enables the Malaysian company to benefit from its two partners‟ extensive expertise in aerial power line development, monitoring and maintenance – upholding the operational and safety standards that are benchmarked by both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia airworthiness authorities.

“Our aerial power line solutions represent a well thought-out business strategy, applying tested technologies and procedures from RTE and Airbus Helicopters in France that have been used and improved by them for the past 40 years,“ explained Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, the Chairman of Sarawak Cable. “We believe the introduction of such solutions will add to the impetus of Malaysia becoming a fully-developed nation by the year 2020.”

In addition to the AS350 B3e and EC135 T2e provided today, APL will take delivery of an EC225 in mid-2015. The operator has a full maintenance contract with Airbus Helicopters, and also is receiving training from the manufacturer. Additionally, APL‟s rotorcraft will be hangared at Airbus Helicopters Malaysia‟s facility which is located in the Malaysian International Aerospace Centre in Subang.

“We welcome APL as a new customer, which can count on Airbus Helicopters‟ full commitment in providing the complete spectrum of support and services to ensure their successful foray into a brand new market segment in Malaysia,” said Pierre Rossignol, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Malaysia.

“We are honoured to be APL‟s selected partner in pioneering the use of helicopters for power grid management and operations in this part of the world, where we foresee significant potential for its expansion across Malaysia and within the region,” he added.

The helicopters selected by APL cover the light- and heavy-weight segments of Airbus Helicopters„ product line, thus enabling them to carry out a wide range of power line missions. Its AS350 B3e is the high-performance member of the Ecureuil light helicopter family. With its proven performance in hot conditions and at very high altitudes, this helicopter type is often used for power line inspections.

The evolved twin-engine EC135 T2e has a maximum takeoff weight increased up to 2.95 metric tons, offering a 40-kg. gain in payload and allowing an extra passenger to be carried with a load margin extension. It is widely used for visits to power lines, aerial construction and maintenance. In the 11-ton category, the EC225 integrates the latest technological innovations for more power, increased payload and longer range, and is suited for a wide variety of services, such as maintenance and construction work on overhead electrical power lines and airlift support at major infrastructure projects.

About Aerial Power Lines
Aerial Power Lines Sdn Bhd (APL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Cable Bhd (SCABLE). A listed company in Bursa Malaysia, SCABLE‟s business portfolio includes fabrication of steel towers and hot-dip galvanized products, manufacturing of power cables, wires & conductors, construction of transmission lines and mini-hydro power plant. APL was specially incorporated to manage and operate helicopters for power line operation and other related aviation businesses.

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 subsidiaries 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:

NHI delivers the 200th NH90 helicopter

Bückeburg  - June 24th 2014

NHI celebrated today the 200th NH90 helicopter delivery. The 200th NH90, a TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variant, was delivered officially to Belgian Defence and will be operated from Beauvechain Air Force Base by the 1st Wing. The handover ceremony took place during the annual NH90 Product Conference being held this year at the German Army Aviation School in Bückeburg, where the whole NH90 community of users and industry is gathered to share their experiences.

“In the name of NHI and its partner companies, I am really honoured to deliver this NH90 TTH to Belgium. With this versatile, safe and interoperable aircraft, NHI is proud to contribute to the enhancement of Belgian Defence capabilities”, said Vincent Dubrule, President of NHIndustries at the ceremony.
“This 200th delivery is the result of the efforts of industry to ramp up the delivery rate of the NH90 since this new generation helicopter is in high demand by its end users” Dubrule added.

“The NH90 program is now reaching its maturity phase with more than 50.000 flight hours logged in service in the most demanding conditions” declares Luigi Cereti, Managing Director of NHIndustries.

“The NH90 program is of great importance to Belgium as it will maintain our SAR service, provide an enlarged range of missions in support of the Navy and for the first time give us the ability to perform tactical troop transport missions. Furthermore, by joining this international program, Belgium is improving its helicopter interoperability” said Col Vandezande, Head of the NH90 program for Belgian Defence.

“The delivery of this third NH90 TTH today enables us to progress from initial training to the Operational Training and Evaluation phase” added Col Vandezande.

The NH90 Product Conference took place for the first time at the German Army Aviation School, Bückeburg, near Hanover.

“This School, with its 14 full flight mission simulators is the most modern Army Helicopter Training School in Europe, it is able to train pilots and crews on several types of new generation helicopters such as the NH90 and EC135” declares Col Baumgärtner Public Relations Officer of the Army Aviation School.

This facility will become the “International Helicopter training Centre” in July 2015 when it will start to train foreign military helicopter aircrews as well as continuing to train German flight and maintenance crews.

The NH90 is the optimal choice for modern operations thanks to its large full composite airframe, its excellent power-to-weight ratio; and its wide range of role equipment. It features a multiple redundant Fly-by-Wire flight control system that reduces pilot workload while improving flight safety. The NH90 is offered in two main variants, one dedicated to naval operations, the NH90NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) and a Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for land operations. As of today, 200 Naval and Tactical transport variants have been delivered. They are in service in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Oman, Australia and New Zealand.

The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland (32%), Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), and Fokker (5.5%).

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 subsidiaries 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 further information, please contact:
Mr. Julien Negrel
NHIndustries Business Director
Tel.: +33 (0)4 42 95 97 02
Fax: +33 (0)4 42 95 97 49
www.nhindustries.com