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Airbus Helicopters highlights its 30 years of military support in the Middle East at Doha’s DIMDEX defense exhibition

Marignane, France, 24 March 2014

The capabilities of Airbus Helicopters‟ rotorcraft to meet land- and sea-based mission requirements of Middle East military forces will be underscored in the company‟s presence at next week‟s Doha International Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX).

“With 30-plus years of partnership in the Middle East and more than 600 rotorcraft in service, Airbus Helicopters is fully committed to supporting this region‟s evolving defense and government mission needs,” said Olivier Lambert, the Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “At DIMDEX, we showcase our new identity and key priorities: customer satisfaction, quality, safety and competitiveness which build on the Airbus brand‟s excellence.”

To be displayed in scale model form at the 25-27 March event are the multi-role NH90 and the multi-purpose AS565 Panther. The newly rebranded company will be exhibiting with its parent Airbus Group – the global leader in aerospace, defense and related services – on DIMDEX exhibit stand # H4-40.

© Anthony Pecchi -2010

The multi-mission NH90 to be spotlighted at DIMDEX is well suited to the Middle East and Persian Gulf‟s operational requirements in its proven Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) versions.

Primary NH90 TTH missions are troop transport of up to 20 fully equipped troops, logistics and utility transport with internal and external loads, medical evacuation, as well as search and rescue (SAR). The NH90 NFH‟s applications range from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare to SAR, maritime surveillance and control, logistics transport and utility support, special operations and vertical replenishment.

Produced in the Airbus Helicopters-led NHIndustries consortium, the NH90 helicopter has been successfully utilized for rescue, transport and surveillance by various military services – including challenging rescues by the French Navy, and the Netherlands‟ deployment to the Horn of Africa in support of the European Union‟s Atalanta naval operation.

The NH90 is in full-scale production, with a total 184 delivered to date – including 43 during 2013. A total of 14 customers have ordered the helicopter: Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Sultanate of Oman, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Oman„s NH90 is equipped with an enhanced powerplant adapted to the extreme conditions of the Middle East.

The AS565 Panther is the military version of Airbus Helicopters‟ medium-weight AS365 Dauphin multi-purpose rotorcraft, which is operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Navy, the Royal Moroccan Navy, Brazilian Army and other military services. Its duties range from attack and anti-tank missions to naval search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol.

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 creates a shared portal for its partners

The launch of Airbus Helicopters’ Partner Portal marks a new era of collaboration between Airbus and its partners

Marignane, March 24, 2014

The success of Airbus Helicopters is closely linked to the quality of its collaboration with partners. Integrating partners into its industrial process makes up part of Airbus Helicopters’ strategy and contributes to the success of the objectives outlined in its transformation plan, which focuses on customer satisfaction, quality, safety and competitiveness.

The Airbus Helicopters Partner Portal site will facilitate the exchange of data and information between Airbus Helicopters and its partners, giving greater visibility to partners’ challenges and industrial needs.

“The quality of our relationships with partners is one of the keys to the success of Airbus Helicopters’ industrial strategy,” said Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury. “We have created this dedicated platform to develop and facilitate the relationship with our partners to ensure, together, the complete satisfaction of our clients.”

This shared platform offers a wide range of services. They include access to a platform for responding to tender processes and monitoring contracts (eProc), as well as tools for tracking projections and orders (AirSupply), for publishing manufacturing plans (Supply Plan) and for drawing up and tracking invoices. Additionally, centralized access is provided to a paperless invoice platform (bProcess), as well as to the Airbus Helicopters, Sharepoint and BoostAero information exchange forums.

The portal will soon be enhanced with additional features designed to foster collaboration through performance indicators such as On Time Delivery, On Time Quality and Turn Around Time, and to enable the distribution of documents and the management of quality notes and equipment-development fact sheets.

The Airbus Helicopters Partner Portal is a secure platform accessible only to Airbus Helicopters partners. Manufacturers looking to offer their services to Airbus Helicopters will also be able to provide information on what they do and their areas of expertise via the entry page of the platform.

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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Helibras begins deliveries of upgraded AS365 Panther K2 helicopters to the Brazilian Army

Airbus Helicopters’ enhanced version is the first to be fully certified in Brazil

Marignane, 13 March 2014

The first two upgraded AS365 Panther K2 rotorcraft will be delivered this month by Airbus Helicopters’ Helibras subsidiary to the Brazilian Army Aviation Command (AvEx), providing a modernized platform with more power, updated avionics and increased mission capability.

These deliveries follow the signature in Brasília of an amendment standardizing the modifications introduced to the helicopter’s enhanced configuration – which will be assessed by AvEx’s various battalions during mission operations. Should these evaluations prove favorable, Helibras will continue modernizing the remaining 32 AS365 K Panthers in the Brazilian Army’s inventory through 2021.

Helibras’ Panther K2 is the first helicopter to be fully certified in Brazil by the country’s Aerospace Technology and Science Department (DCTA). It is a landmark achievement for the Itajubá, Brazil-based Helibras, as this particular version has been developed entirely in Brazil.

(© Helibras/Marcio Jumpei)

Featuring state-of-the-art equipment and systems, the Panther K2 upgrade will enable Brazil’s AS365s to remain operational for another 25 years. The contract value for modernizing all 34 Panthers in Brazilian Army service is 347 million Brazilian reais.

“The modernization of military aircraft such as the Panther K2 is taking place in fleets with hi-tech assets and a high purchase value, be they fleets of helicopters, airplanes or ships,” said Helibras CEO Eduardo Marson, who sees the upgrading of the Panthers as a strategic step forward in his company’s expansion program.

“This upgrade effort allows Helibras to gain expertise in the key technologies offered in high-performance aircraft types such as the Dauphin family – on which the Panther military helicopter is based – and opens the way for the development of new projects through the company’s engineering center,” he added. “The Super Puma and Cougar helicopters are examples of this, and just by introducing a process whereby old parts are replaced by more modern systems, we are able to extend their service life for 25 years at least.”

Helibras Manufacturing Vice President Richard Marelli said the company’s engineering center was responsible for the Panther K2’s preliminary and detailed designs for the enhancement. “As part of the process, a team of engineers and mechanics received on-the-job training at Airbus Helicopters with a view toward specialization in major operations,” he continued. “The program also included training for pilots and instructors.”

The Panther K2 has been fitted with new Arriel 2C2CG engines that deliver 40 percent more power, new engine fairings, a new glass cockpit with a 4-axis autopilot, new wiring and a cable-cutting device. In addition to night vision goggle-compatibility, the helicopter also features a new altimeter and weather radar, the latest navigation and communication radios and a new tail rotor – significantly improving performance and safety. These changes provide a helicopter with greater range, more speed and reduced pilot workload.

The Panther K2 has capacity for one or two pilots and 10 troops, a maximum takeoff weight of 4,300 kg., and a top speed of 175 kts. – which is increased from 150 kts. prior to its upgrade.

About Airbus Helicopters (www.airbushelicopters.com)
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 delivers the German Army’s final upgraded Tiger support helicopter for deployment in Afghanistan

The conversion of 12 Tiger rotorcraft to their ASGARD configuration is now complete

Donauwörth, Germany, 6 March 2014

The Germany Army today received the last of 12 Tiger UHT support helicopters upgraded by Airbus Helicopters for Afghanistan missions to support ground troops, protect convoys and perform reconnaissance operations.

This milestone rotorcraft – presented during a delivery ceremony at Airbus Helicopters’ Donauwörth, Germany production facility – was provided to the military service’s 36 Combat Helicopter Regiment.

It completed the three batches of four Tiger UHT support helicopters modified to the ASGARD (Afghanistan Stabilization German Army Rapid Deployment) configuration through a program launched in late 2011 by Airbus Helicopters and the German Federal Ministry of Defense. The ASGARD conversion includes installation of engine sand filters and additional ballistic protection, along with the incorporation of a mission data recorder and enhanced communication equipment for multinational missions.

The German Armed Forces began deploying its initial Tiger UHTs modified to the ASGARD configuration in December 2012, with operations beginning a month later in Mazar-e-Scharif.

To date, these ASGARD-upgraded Tigers have accumulated well over 1,000 flight hours in German military service, demonstrating their high reliability, mission effectiveness, and a high level of acceptance during support missions.

(© Charles Abarr)

“The Tiger ASGARD program is the result of a successful and close cooperation between Airbus Helicopters and the German Armed Forces,” said Wolfgang Schoder, the Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. “Today’s milestone underscores our ability to develop and implement upgrades that meet specific army requirements in highly-demanding environments such as Afghanistan.”

The ASGARD retrofit was performed by Airbus Helicopters at its Donauwörth site, which also is home to the final assembly line for Germany’s Tiger UHT support helicopter versions.

Overall, Airbus Helicopters has delivered more than 100 Tigers in their various versions to the military services of Germany, France, Spain and Australia – accumulating more than 50,000 flight hours, including over 7,500 hours logged during military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali and Somalia.

About Airbus Helicopters (www.airbushelicopters.com)
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’ new AS332 C1e is ready for duty

Launch customer Starlite Aviation adds firm order of two AS 332C1e and will deploy its first delivered rotorcraft to Kosovo

Anaheim, California, 25 February 2014

Airbus Helicopters today unveiled the latest member of its Super Puma helicopter family: the multi-mission AS332 C1e utility workhorse version, which comes with a standardized equipment definition for more rapid production times and cost-effective acquisition prices.

The unveiling occurred at the 2014 Heli-Expo industry show in Anaheim, California, where the first production AS332 C1e is being displayed in the livery of launch customer Starlite Aviation Group. This helicopter will be received by Starlite Aviation next month, and follows Airbus Helicopters’ delivery of the no. 2 AS332 C1e last week to the operator, which will use it under Irish registry on a utility and medevac contract for EULEX – the European Union Rule of Law Mission deployed in Kosovo.

According to Starlite Aviation CEO Slade Thomas, “Starlite Aviation Group is extremely proud to take delivery of the first of the new Super Puma AS332 C1e helicopters. At Starlite we know the demands of commercial medium-heavy utility sector and we are delighted to be taking delivery of new equipment to help us continue with our growth across four continents. Being the launch customer of this new Super Puma is a measure of our faith in Airbus Helicopters.”

“Having Starlite Aviation as the launch customer is a strong endorsement of the AS332 C1e,” explained Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury. “This rotorcraft responds to the need for a robust, modern medium-to-heavy lift helicopter with exceptional performance – and which can be produced rapidly based on a standardized equipment list.”

Starlite Aviation placed its initial order for two firm and two options of the helicopters in November 2012, and has since firmed up the two AS332 C1e options for deliveries this December. These acquisitions, which have been financed by Deutsche Bank, are part of Starlite Aviation’s fleet renewal and expansion program, with the rotorcraft joining an extensive helicopter fleet that currently includes 12 Airbus Helicopters SA330 Pumas.

The AS332 C1e offers versatility across a full range of utility missions, especially in hot-and-high environments, as well as missions requiring a small footprint while delivering a significant lift capability such as the vertical replenishment of ships.
Included in its standard equipment list is the four-axis autopilot and associated automatic flight control system from Airbus Helicopters’ EC225 Super Puma helicopter, which provides flight envelope protection, unrivalled precision, and stability in even the harshest operating conditions. If equipment or systems are required beyond the baseline definition, additional customization can be provided by Airbus Helicopters and its wholly-owned Vector Aerospace company, or the network of subsidiaries and approved partners.

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.

About Starlite Aviation Group
Starlite Aviation Group is a multi-faceted global aviation company. Starlite Aviation offers a range of helicopter services on a worldwide basis, through offices in Ireland and South Africa, and its operations on four continents. Starlite supplies a range of aviation services including: relief contract work, oil & gas, passenger and cargo transport, helicopter sales and charter, pilot training, aircraft management, training & maintenance, component overhaul and the supply and distribution of aircraft parts and support equipment. Key international clients include United Nations agencies and the European Union.

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Airbus Helicopters scores 78 bookings for its new rotorcraft product line at Heli-Expo

Contracts cover the next-generation EC175; new EC145 T2, evolved EC225e and AS332 C1e versions, and the cornerstone EC225

Anaheim, California, 28 February 2014

The 78 bookings announced by Airbus Helicopters at this week’s Heli-Expo industry convention underscore the competitiveness of its product line – with acquisitions covering rotorcraft that range from the workhorse EC225 and the AS350 B2 and B3e, to the next-generation EC175, along with the new EC145 T2 and the evolved EC225e and AS332 C1e versions.

Included in this new business are key transactions with leasing companies, underscoring their increasing importance in the rotorcraft sector.  Also announced at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California are Airbus Helicopters’ expanded and innovative services solutions, incorporating such elements as Level D full-flight simulators for the EC175 in France and the U.S., plus new and enhanced information services, the cloud-based helicopter maintenance information, and a standardization of services for helicopter upgrades.

The new EC175 – which was certified in January for deliveries beginning later this year – logged 14 orders with announcements at Heli-Expo. Noordzee Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV), a launch customer is adding six to its previous order for 10 of the mid-sized, twin-engine helicopters; Lease Corporation International (LCI), a new Airbus Helicopters customer, is acquiring up to six EC175s; and CHI Aviation purchased two of the rotorcraft.As a versatile rotorcraft with Airbus Helicopters’ new Helionix® avionics suite, the EC175 is the industry’s benchmark medium-sized twin-engine helicopter for a variety of missions, including transport duties in oil and gas operations, corporate and executive transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services and public services.

The EC145 T2, which is another new Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft to enter service in 2014, expanded its order book by a 25-rotorcraft booking from Waypoint Leasing.  This latest-evolution member of the twin-engine EC145 family combines the company’s latest technologies, including an advanced cockpit design and modern Helionix® avionics, four-axis autopilot and Airbus Helicopters’ signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor.

For the workhorse EC225 and the new EC225e, orders were announced for 27 helicopters.  Waypoint Leasing gave an important vote of confidence, placing an order for 12 of these high-performance, heavy twin-engine helicopters, while Lease Corporation International booked as many as 15.   At Heli-Expo, Airbus Helicopters launched the enhanced EC225e Super Puma family version that features new Turbomeca Makila 2B turboshaft engines, more payload, an additional fuel tank for very long range flights, a new cabin layout for improved passenger comfort and new systems to significantly increase pilots’ situational awareness while reducing workload.

Certification of the EC225e is targeted for late 2015, followed by the start-up of deliveries in mid-2016.

The evolved AS332 C1e, exhibited for the first time at Heli-Expo, received a firm order for two additional helicopters from launch customer Starlite Aviation. One of the company’s two previously-ordered AS332 C1e was exhibited in its livery on the Airbus Helicopters’ exhibit stand, while the other helicopter will be deployed to Kosovo on medevac and utilities duties for the European Union.

The AS332 C1e comes with a standardized equipment definition for more rapid production times and cost-effective acquisition prices.  It offers versatility across a full range of utility missions, especially in hot-and-high environments, as well as missions requiring a small footprint while delivering a significant lift capability for such applications as the vertical replenishment of ships.

Finishing off the bookings sheet were orders for seven AS350 B3e aircraft and three AS350 B2s from a total of five customers in the United States.

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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The initial full-flight simulator for Airbus Helicopters’ EC175 is completed by Indra for service start-up this summer

Anaheim, California, 27 February 2014

Pilot training with the first Level D full-flight simulator for Airbus Helicopters’ new EC175 rotorcraft will be available from this summer, using an Indra-built system located at the Airbus Helicopters Training Services facility in Marignane, France.

Its near-term availability, announced today at the Heli-Expo 2014 convention in Anaheim, California, will enable pilot training to begin ahead of the first EC175 customer deliveries later in 2014. This motion-based full-flight simulator incorporates a state-of-the-art visual projection system with a 210 deg. by 80 deg. continuous field of view to recreate the most realistic flight conditions for immersive training.

Development of the simulator has been a collaborative effort. Indra experts worked closely with their Airbus Helicopters counterparts to develop the simulator in parallel with the aircraft’s development. Thereby the simulator data package by Airbus Helicopters ensures that the flight model and all aircraft systems of the simulator are emulated fully identical with the real aircraft.

©Indra

“Pilots will be able to practice all required operational tasks and procedures in normal and emergency situations, both flight and mission related,” said Indra Vice President Carlos Suárez “. Developing this project represents a good opportunity for Indra, as we look forward for a bright future for the EC-175, with growing sales worldwide.”

In addition to the Level D full-flight simulator, a flight navigation procedure training (FNPT) also built by Indra will be installed at the Airbus Helicopters Training Services center in Marignane. This provides valuable pilot training opportunities on a fixed-base system that is complementary to the full-flight simulator.

“Our significant investment in these training tools underscores Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to a high level of service and support for EC175 users,” said Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury. “By offering quality training, operators of this new-generation helicopter will be able to fly safely and efficiently – fully benefitting from the EC175’s modern systems and avionics.”

The EC175 was developed in close consultation with operators, creating 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, providing increased safety through reduced pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

Certification of the EC175 was issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in January, clearing the way for Airbus Helicopters’ deliveries to the initial customers later this year.

About Indra
Indra is the leading Spanish multinational consulting and technology firm and one of the main players in Europe and Latin America. Innovation is the cornerstone of its business and sustainability. The company has allocated more than €550 million to R&D&i in the last three years, making it one of the top companies in Europe in its sector in terms of investment. With sales approaching €3,000 million, nearly 60% of its income is from the international market. The company employs 42,000 professionals and has customers in 128 countries.

About Airbus Helicopters (www.airbushelicopters.com)
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: