Corporate

Airbus Helicopters to Supply Six Super Puma AS332 C1e Helicopters to the Plurinational State of Bolivia

Marignane, January 17, 2014

The Bolivian Air Force (FAB) has selected the latest high-power version of the Super Puma to fight drug trafficking and perform public-security and disaster-relief missions throughout the country. The contract includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The first two helicopters will be delivered this year and the remaining four before 2016.

The signing of the contract underscores the pledge Bolivian President Evo Morales made at a meeting with his French counterpart Francois Hollande in New York last September, while allowing the FAB to renew and strengthen its fleet with helicopters boasting the latest technology. The contract also includes a logistical support package that aims to provide the FAB with the resources and know-how it needs to ensure high fleet availability.

“We are very proud to provide our air force with latest-generation multi-role aircraft that will enable us to successfully carry out our ongoing missions and face the challenges of the future,” said General Victor Hugo Meneses Gomez, Air Chief Marshal of the Bolivian Air Force. The helicopters will mainly be used to combat drug trafficking and will also carry out public-security and disaster-relief missions throughout the country. General Meneses added: “Bearing in mind the extreme operating conditions in Bolivia, the Super Puma was chosen mainly because of its versatility, safety and, above all else, its ability to operate at high altitude.”

“We would like to thank the Bolivian Air Force for renewing their confidence in our helicopters," said Mesrob Karalekian, Airbus Helicopters’ Vice-President of Sales and Customer Relations for Latin America. “The Super Puma is a powerful multi-role helicopter that is perfectly suited to the demands of operating in the region and which, thanks to its state-of-the-art onboard technology, allows missions to achieve more, all in complete safety.”

The relationship between Airbus Helicopters and the Bolivian Air Force began several decades ago with the Lama and the Alouette. The FAB now operates the Ecureuil AS350 B3 and, as of last year, two EC145s, which are used to transport dignitaries and conduct missions in support of the population. With this latest purchase, the FAB will benefit from a technology transfer program that includes the training of more than 80 technicians and pilots in France and Bolivia. It will also be supplied with special tools for setting up a maintenance center, where intermediate inspections (every 500 hours) will be carried out, and two operational bases for smaller inspections (every 100 hours), the objective being for the FAB to acquire strategic autonomy.

The Super Puma family is particularly well-suited to operations in Latin America, where more than 100 helicopters are in service and more than 60 are on order. Its ability to operate at high altitude (up to a certified service ceiling of 7,620 meters), in the jungle, and at extreme temperatures (ranging from -45°C to 50°C) allows it to meet the region’s unique challenges, especially in the mountains and plateaus of the Andes, where altitude and temperature often prove challenging.

Fast, powerful, reliable and safe, Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma is a highly cost-effective aircraft thanks to its low direct maintenance costs (DMC) and fuel consumption, and its 30 percent lower lifecycle costs compared to other aircraft in the same class. It is also equipped with latest-generation technology such as the four-axis automatic flight control system (AFCS), which enhances mission efficiency by reducing the pilot’s workload while also increasing safety during take-off and landing.
With more than 4.75 million flight hours around the world – an unmistakable hallmark of its quality and reliability – Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma family has become the benchmark in the nine-to-11 ton class and is in service in virtually every country in Latin America. Of the 830 helicopters delivered to date, more than 75 percent are operated by the continent’s armed forces, performing a wide variety of missions that range from assault and combat to special operations, tactical transport, SAR, medical evacuation and the transport of high-ranking officials. Among the major assets of this helicopter, which can be rapidly configured for different missions, are its adaptability and versatility. These facets have helped it earn the confidence and trust of 94 customers in 48 countries.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Employing approximately 22,000 people worldwide, Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion euros. 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 together fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Spanish Ministry of Defense Becomes the World’s Leading Operator of the Airbus Helicopters’ EC135 Helicopter for military use

Marignane, France, January 15 2014

Airbus Helicopters’ factory in Spain provided the setting early this week for the delivery of the two EC135 helicopters to the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). The aircraft were the first to be delivered as part of a contract for eight EC135s signed on December 27, 2013 by the Spanish armament procurement agency, which answers directly to the country’s Ministry of Defense, and Airbus Helicopters España.

The contract also includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The remaining six helicopters will be delivered during the course of 2014, and will also be allocated to the CEFAMET Helicopter School Battalion, the Spanish Army Airmobile Force training center. These two new units bring the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s total fleet of EC135s to 16 helicopters, making it the world’s leading operator of the EC135 for military use, which is also operational in countries such as Germany and Japan.

“The EC135 is one of the finest systems we have ever operated in the army thanks to its excellent operability and first-class capabilities,” said FAMET’s Commander-in-Chief. For his part, Airbus Helicopters España CEO Francisco Vergé expressed his pride in the helicopter, saying: “The EC135 meets the requirements of the Spanish armed forces in full, and this contract is another show of confidence in us on the part of the Spanish Ministry of Defense.”


The new aircraft will meet the Spanish Army’s pressing need to provide its combat pilots with advanced training in tactical missions. Involving the use of night vision goggles and instrument flights, this training prepares pilots to perform maneuvers and combat missions in larger platforms such as the Cougar, Tiger and the NH90.

Spain has a fleet of more than 60 EC135s. In recent years the helicopter has taken on a key role in military training and is also widely used by the country’s security forces, forming part of the fleets operated by the Civil Guard, National Police and National Road Transport Authority. The EC135 also provides emergency medical transport in most of the autonomous regions offering this service.

The EC135 is a powerful, twin-engine lightweight helicopter combining a wide unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity. The aircraft is the worldwide reference for EMS, Homeland Security and military light utility and training missions.

Ensuring the highest levels of safety on the ground and in the air, the EC135 is equipped with numerous safety features such as the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor and the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system.

Since it first took to the skies in 1996, the EC135 family has accumulated 2.9 million flight hours. Around 1,100 aircraft of the EC135 family are in service worldwide with approximately 296 customers in 58 countries.

About Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Employing approximately 22,000 people worldwide, Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion euros. 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 together fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Welcome on board: Airbus Helicopters takes off!

Marignane, France, January 8, 2013

The rebranding of Eurocopter as Airbus Helicopters, effective today, marks a new era in the history of the company, which joins Airbus and Airbus Defense & Space within the new Airbus Group – the global leader in aerospace, defense and related services.

Airbus Helicopters will benefit from and enrich the Airbus brand as it develops, manufactures, markets and supports a diversified and highly capable rotorcraft product line.

“This rebranding works hand in hand with our ongoing transformation, which is now bolstered by the Airbus brand’s strong foundation in innovation, quality and industrial excellence,” said Guillaume Faury, President of Airbus Helicopters. “Both of these together will serve our ambition of setting the industry standard in terms of safety, mission capability and performance for our operators around the world.”

The naming and designations of Airbus Helicopters’ products remain at present unchanged in the new branding, while the company’s primary website has migrated to a new identity: www.airbushelicopters.com. Airbus Helicopter team members will remain reachable via their current e-mail coordinates, with the migration to an airbus.com root address occurring this summer.

About Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Employing approximately 22,000 people worldwide, Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion euros. 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 together fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Brazil resumes EC225 operations, marking the return to service of all operators worldwide with the Eurocopter helicopter

Marignane, France, December 19, 2013
With the resumption of EC225 commercial flights by BHS Helicopter, OMNI and Aeróleo Taxi Aéreo in Brazil, all operators using this Eurocopter helicopter around the globe have now reinstated service.

The EC225 oil and gas fleet’s return-to-service began in July 2013 in Angola, and now has been completed with all three Brazilian operators back in crew change operations for Petrobras.

These companies join other oil and gas industry operators in restoring EC225 missions: CHC Helicopter, Bristow, Bond, Sonair, Blueway DanCopter, Era, and MHS Aviation Berhad. Collectively, they cover the world’s major regions for offshore heli-lift for the energy sector – from the North Sea and Asia to Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and South America.

© Eurocopter, Anthony Pecchi

“Our teams remain totally committed to supporting our customers as they regain the full availability of their helicopters worldwide,” said Guillaume Faury, Eurocopter’s President & CEO. “The EC225 has been the industry’s most examined aircraft, and we are proud to have it back as a key player in the oil and gas sector – continuing to safely accompany our customers in their challenging missions.”

The EC225’s return-to-service is continuing according to plan, as more than 75 percent of the fleet used globally for oil and gas duties is now flying, including eight EC225s that continued without interruption in Vietnam and China. As a result, more than 85 percent of the worldwide EC225/725 fleet is now in service – representing a total of 144 aircraft, which encompasses those used for oil and gas missions as well as other operations.

Eurocopter developed preventative safety measures that were approved by airworthiness authorities for the return-to-service, and the company has equally undertaken a main gear box shaft redesign for retrofit on the entire EC225 fleet starting from the second half of 2014.

The EC225 is an 11-ton-class rotorcraft in Eurocopter’s Super Puma family. With more than 300,000 total flight hours logged to date, it is deployed in civil, military and parapublic operations that range from offshore transportation and cargo airlift to search and rescue duties.

Globally, the Super Puma family accumulated more than 4,8 million flight hours to date and is operated by some 100 customers for a wide range of missions, often in very difficult conditions.

A dedicated Knowledge Center website (www.ec225news.com) features pilot interviews following the EC225’s return-to-service, the latest status information and frequently asked questions. The website’s content is aimed at customers as well as passengers who fly aboard these helicopters.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and Para public sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and Para public fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.
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Eurocopter delivers the second EC155 B1 to the Dalian Municipality for security, rescue, fire-fighting and transportation missions

Beijing, China, December 13th, 2013
Dalian Municipality has taken delivery of its second EC155 B1 for missions ranging from surveillance, rescue and anti-terrorism, to fire-fighting, troop airlift and the transportation of personnel.

This new EC155 B1 is well-equipped for its multi-role duties – outfitted with an electro-optical FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera, searchlight, loud speakers, rappelling ropes and hoist. It also has the capability to carry a water bucket delivery system in support of fire-fighting missions.

“With its fleet of 2 EC155 B1, the Dalian Police now has a highly capable airborne law enforcement capability that fully responds to the heli-borne security, protection and airlift requirements of this dynamic region in China,” said Norbert Ducrot, CEO of the Eurocopter China subsidiary. “In addition to operating a state-of-the-art helicopter, the Dalian Police can also benefit from Eurocopter’s full range of services established in China, including technical assistance, maintenance, logistics support and training.”

© Eurocopter, Anthony Pecchi

Eurocopter and Dalian Police have cooperated during two years in order to build together this airborne capability. While a first EC155 B1 was flying in Dalian, the second one was used in France for the training of Dalian pilots.

“We are delighted to have added one of the most advanced helicopters to our fleet, greatly enhancing our ability to serve the Dalian region and its people. We also greatly appreciate Eurocopter’s professionalism throughout the process from acquisition, training to delivery of the aircraft.” said Police Aviation Force of Dalian Municipality Public & Security Bureau.

The EC155 is a medium-weight, 5-metric-ton-class helicopter in Eurocopter’s Dauphin family. It is powered by two 935 shp. Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 engines for excellent performance, and features a modular design that facilitates the rotorcraft’s use in a range of diverse missions.

In addition to a spacious cabin accommodating seating for up to 13 passengers and two pilots, the EC155 can carry up to 2 metric tons of heavy equipment in the cargo configuration. The modern glass cockpit incorporates digital avionics and a four-axis autopilot, considerably reducing the pilots’ workload and allowing them to concentrate on the more demanding aspects of each mission. Moreover, the helicopter’s low vibration levels provide ideal conditions for the specialized mission equipment employed by police forces.

The EC155 is a reference helicopter for public service missions around the world, and is also gaining traction in China, thanks to its safety standards, cabin flexibility and versatility. Other EC155-family rotorcraft operators in the country include police forces in Shanghai, and Hong-Kong , along with private and commercial operators flying a total of 25 EC155s, making it the biggest medium twin-engine helicopter fleet in China.

Specifically in the Chinese turbine helicopter market for law enforcement and homeland security, Eurocopter has a strong foothold with a 45 percent share market share. Besides the EC155 family, other Eurocopter models used for public security in China include the light, single-engine EC120, light twin-engine EC135 as well as the 11-ton EC225.

About Eurocopter China
Created in December 2006, Eurocopter China is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurocopter Group, responsible for sales and customer support activities for the company’s entire range of products. In China, Eurocopter China covers a market share of 40%. With 45 years of presence and over 30 years of experience in industrial cooperation in China, more than 180 Eurocopter helicopters have been sold in the country. In order to provide quality service in proximity to Chinese operators, Eurocopter China has established a multi-based organization in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Harbin, Chengdu, Wuhan and Hong Kong staffed with around 80 employees.
Website: www.eurocopter-china.com

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and Para public fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

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Eurocopter delivers two EC225 aircraft to Waypoint Leasing

Waypoint executes sale and lease back transaction with Bond Helicopters Australia for the two EC225s

Marignane, France, December 12, 2013
Two EC225s delivered yesterday are the initial Eurocopter-built aircraft in the portfolio of Waypoint Leasing, a leading global helicopter leasing company. Waypoint has signed an agreement to provide the aircraft to Avincis Group’s subsidiary, Bond Helicopters Australia, to use for offshore crew change missions.

The EC225 handovers to Waypoint Leasing occurred at Eurocopter’s Marignane, France production facility, and were accepted in a process including the participation of a team from Bond Helicopters Australia. After the aircraft’s arrival in Australia, the helicopters will be used to service Bond’s multi-million dollar, five year contract with the PTTEP Australasia Group of Companies – which is part of Thailand’s national petroleum exploration and production company.

“These deliveries open the way for a long and fruitful relationship with Waypoint, while also underscoring confidence in the EC225 for oil and gas operations,” said Dominique Maudet, Eurocopter’s Executive Vice President of Global Business and Services.

© Eurocopter, Patrick Penna

Earlier this year, Eurocopter and Waypoint Leasing established a comprehensive commercial and marketing partnership for helicopter leasing, which includes the full capabilities of Eurocopter’s comprehensive Parts-by-the-Hour (PBH) support services.

“We are pleased to receive delivery of the EC225s, the first Eurocopter aircraft in our growing fleet, and to partner with Bond Helicopters Australia, a premier provider of energy support services to one of the fastest growing offshore oil and gas markets in the world,” stated Ed Washecka, CEO of Waypoint Leasing. “Waypoint’s principals have worked with Eurocopter as well as Bond and other Avincis companies for many years, and we appreciate their ongoing support. This agreement exemplifies our approach to building lasting relationships with our partners.”

Eurocopter’s EC225 is a helicopter of choice for oil and gas operators, providing long-range performance, state-of-the-art equipment and system redundancy in a highly capable 11-ton weight category rotorcraft. More than 80 EC225s operate for the oil and gas sector in approximately 12 countries. With over 300,000 flight hours logged by the global fleet, the EC225 performs missions at all latitudes in a full range of conditions.

About Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited
Waypoint is a global helicopter lessor providing aircraft and financing solutions to helicopter operators around the world. Headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, and with operations in Darien, CT, Waypoint partners with helicopter operators across a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting and governmental support. Further information is available at http://www.waypointleasing.com/.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and Para public fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

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Eurocopter launches the law enforcement version of its EC145 T2 helicopter with an order from Germany’s Baden Württemberg police

Donauwörth, Germany, December 11, 2013
Germany’s Landespolizei Baden Württemberg has ordered six Eurocopter EC145 T2 helicopters, becoming the first law enforcement customer for this evolved version of the popular EC145 twin-engine rotorcraft.

When delivered in 2015-2016, these EC145 T2s will provide the southwestern German state‟s police force with a highly capable multi-role fleet to replace a mixed fleet of two other helicopter types.

Eurocopter‟s EC145 T2 is the latest member of its EC145 family, incorporating new Arriel 2E engines and the company‟s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, as well as an innovative new digital avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot.

© Eurocopter, Charles Abarr

“The Landespolizei Baden Württemberg has been a Eurocopter customer for decades. From our point of view, its selection of the EC145 T2 as the police version‟s launch customer confirms this long-lasting positive cooperation and the trust in our products,” explained Thomas Hein, Eurocopter‟s Vice President - Sales and Customer Relations for Europe. “The EC145 T2„s advanced and expandable mission systems, and improved performance, will significantly enhance the police force‟s capabilities.“

The aircraft will be equipped with a modern mission management system that facilitates the EC145 T2‟s multi-role capabilities in law enforcement. Its primary role for observation and surveillance is supported by forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras, controlled by an operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police operations.

“With the procurement of six new police helicopters, we guarantee the highest standard for the police units,” said Reinhold Gall, Minister of the Interior of Baden Württemberg. “At the same time, the change to a fleet of only one helicopter type allows savings in maintenance and training.”

Europe‟s law enforcement market segment is dominated by light twin-engine helicopters. Eurocopter‟s EC135 and EC145 are the most successful helicopters in this segment, with a fleet share of approximately 44 percent.

The EC145 T2‟s designed-in modularity and its large unobstructed cabin with flat floor contributes to the helicopter‟s flexibility for applications ranging from such police tasks as patrol and surveillance, search and rescue and transport of special police forces.

By applying Fenestron technology to the EC145 T2, Eurocopter brings the tail rotor‟s benefits in terms of improved flight and ground safety, enhanced anti-torque control efficiency, reduced power demand in forward flight, lower noise and vibration levels. For its use on the EC145 T2, the Fenestron has a new-design tail gearbox with lower maintenance costs, and incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. This is installed in a new, damage-tolerant all-composite tail boom.

Eurocopter builds the EC145 T2 at the company‟s production facility in Donauwörth, Germany. Certification of the helicopter in this latest version, and the start-up of deliveries are planned in 2014.

The Landespolizei Baden Württemberg currently operates Eurocopter-built EC155 helicopters and the MD902 Explorer, both types which are to be succeeded by the EC145 T2. Baden Württemberg is the third largest of Germany's sixteen states, and includes Stuttgart – its capital, and one of the most important German cities.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and Para public sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and Para public fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.
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