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Eurocopter brings its EC175 and EC145 T2 to Asia for a three-week demonstration tour of these new twin-engine helicopters

Marignane, France, December 2, 2013
Two of Eurocopter’s newest members in its twin-engine helicopter family – the next-generation EC175 and evolved EC145 T2 – are coming to Asia for a three-week demonstration tour with operators in the oil and gas, VIP, corporate, charter, military and law enforcement segments.

In addition to providing opportunities to experience the performance and capabilities of these rotorcraft, Eurocopter’s Asian tour also will include a two-day symposium for the oil and gas sector, where the region’s operators and customers will participate in presentations and workshops related to off-shore helicopter missions – with topics ranging from support and services to safety and training.

During the December 2-19 tour, Malaysia and Thailand will be visited by the EC145 T2 and EC175, with Vietnam also on the EC175’s schedule. During the trip, Eurocopter will underscore the strategy of being in close proximity with its customers around the world, which is particularly important for the highly-demanding oil and gas sector.

© Eurocopter, Jay miller

The two-day oil and gas seminar is to take place in Kuala Lumpur during the Malaysian stopover. This continues such informational meetings organized by Eurocopter during the past 10 years, bringing together international operators, potential new customers and oil companies in a setting that encourages open dialogue among all stakeholders.

“Our upcoming tour enables operators to experience first-hand how the EC175 and EC145 T2 respond to the dynamic Asian market’s requirements for heliborne services across a broad range of missions,” explained Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “In addition, the oil and gas seminar is an excellent forum for the exchange of information and experience in this challenging operational sector for helicopters.”

Eurocopter is bringing the first production EC175 for the Asian tour, with this rotorcraft configured for oil and gas airlift duties. The EC145 T2 deployed for Eurocopter’s Asian visits is in a corporate configuration, following its presence in the Persian Gulf region for flight demonstrations in Abu Dhabi and at the Dubai Airshow. Also highlighted during the Asian tour’s Malaysian stopover will be the EC175’s adaptability to the executive and VIP markets. Its executive version seats 9-12 passengers, with a full-scale EC175 mockup being displayed in Kuala Lumpur configured with seating for 10.

The EC175 has become the benchmark medium-sized twin-engine helicopter for a full range of applications, including oil and gas airlift duties, search and rescue, emergency medical services, public services, VIP and executive transport. Its fast cruise speed and excellent flight qualities respond to the full spectrum of oil and gas industry missions – with the best performance, safety, and cost efficiency in terms of operations and maintenance.

Enhancing the EC175’s high levels of mission flexibility and safety is its new Helionix avionics suite, which extends the superiority of in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and situational awareness that have been proven on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter.
EASA certification of the EC175 is targeted in early 2014, which will be the final program step prior to deliveries for the first three customers the same year.

The EC145 T2 is an evolved version of Eurocopter’s popular twin-engine EC145, incorporating new double Fadec Arriel 2E engines along with the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes; as well as a new innovative digital avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot.

© Eurocopter, Jay miller

By applying Fenestron technology to the EC145 T2, Eurocopter brings this 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 gear box with lower maintenance costs, and incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. It is installed in a new damage-tolerant, all-composite tail boom.

The EC145 T2’s certification and start-up of deliveries are planned in 2014.

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 demonstrates the workhorse EC225 helicopter’s capabilities for the offshore oil and gas industry”

Eurocopter Canada Ltd. is showcasing the EC225 helicopter in St. John’s this week to demonstrate the rotorcraft’s features and capabilities for the offshore oil and gas community in Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador province.

The helicopter is in St. John’s for three days to highlight its ideal suitability for use as a crew transport aircraft, and in search and rescue missions for offshore operations. Flight opportunities will be provided for more than 30 representatives of the oil and gas sector, along with members of key industry associations.

The EC225 is the latest evolution of the company’s Super Puma rotorcraft family and benefits from the experience accumulated by almost 1,000 aircraft of this family delivered to some 100 operators. The EC225 came to Canada (Iqaluit) for extreme cold weather testing in winter 2004 and 2007.

(© Paul Daly)

The EC225 is a helicopter of choice for oil and gas operators due to its long-range performance, state-of-the-art equipment and system redundancy. More than 80 EC225s operate for the oil and gas sector in approximately 12 countries. With more than 300,000 flight hours logged by the global fleet, the EC225 had validated its capability of performing missions at all latitudes in a full range of conditions.

“Eurocopter Canada is very pleased to bring a member of the well-known Super Puma family to St. John’s, providing the oil and gas industry a first-hand look what the EC225 has to offer with its tremendous capabilities and special features,” said Guillaume Leprince, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Eurocopter Canada Limited, based in Fort Erie, ON.

In addition to an extended flight range of more than 200 naut. mi., the helicopter features a long list of safety features and enhancements for passenger comfort. It has a cabin free of fuel tanks, is equipped with a Sea State 6 emergency flotation device, full de-icing, a state-of-the-art avionics suite including autopilot, and is certified for night flying.

Of particular note is the aircraft’s main gearbox run-dry system, which is certified for 30 minutes –but has been demonstrated for more than 50 minutes. As a result, helicopter’s gearbox can run for 30-plus minutes without oil flow due to a special back-up cooling lubrication system.

For passengers, the EC225 offers improved seating with increased leg and shoulder room, large push-out windows for easier emergency exit and better visibility during flight, along with lower cabin noise and reduced vibration levels.

Highly versatile and designed to perform in all operating conditions, the EC225 flies in civil, military and parapublic operations worldwide ranging from offshore transportation and cargo airlift to search and rescue (SAR), in particular in very demanding environment.

About Eurocopter Canada Ltd
Eurocopter Canada Limited (www.eurocopter.ca) is a subsidiary of Eurocopter. Eurocopter Canada based in Fort Erie, Ontario since 1984, has additional operations in Richmond, British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec and a support and customer service network that spans the entire country.

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 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.
Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic 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 more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 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.

For more information, please contact:

“Eurocopter receives first main fuselage assembly produced by Indonesian Aerospace for EC725 and EC225 helicopters”

PT Dirgantara Indonesia/Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) has delivered the first complete main fuselage assembly it has produced for Eurocopter EC725 and EC225 helicopters, marking a significant milestone in the companies’ industrial partnership.

This no. 1 assembly – consisting of the integrated upper and lower fuselage sections – was built at IAe’s Bandung, Indonesia facility in West Java. It is scheduled for delivery to Eurocopter’s Marignane, France headquarters site during December, to be integrated into either an EC225 or EC725 helicopter.

As part of a long-term industrial relationship established in 2008, Eurocopter has entrusted IAe with the production of EC725/EC225 upper and lower fuselages, along with the tail booms for these helicopters. The partnership calls for Indonesia to provide 125 component sets at a contract value of $43 million – with five upper fuselage sections and 23 tail booms already delivered from Indonesia to Eurocopter.

(© Indonesian Aerospace)

This activity has now moved into a new phase as the company builds the lower fuselage as well, enabling its integration with the in-country produced upper section to create a complete main fuselage assembly.

“IAe is a key supplier in Eurocopter’s global supply chain and an important part of the EC225/725 helicopter family’s industrial network,” said Ludovic Boistot, CEO of the Eurocopter Indonesia subsidiary. “The first integrated fuselage assembly’s handover demonstrates the vitality of our cooperation with IAe, which will continue to evolve in meeting Indonesia’s helicopter needs and the evolution of its aerospace sector.”

To boost the production capacity, IAe plans to expand its work shift and increase the number of assembly jigs at Bandung. In 2014, the Indonesian company is targeting deliveries of one EC725/EC225 tail boom every three weeks, and one integrated fuselage every 10 weeks.

The EC725/EC225 fuselage and tail boom production is an extension of IAe’s long-term industrial relationship with Eurocopter, which also includes the Indonesian company’s final assembly of NAS332 Super Puma helicopter versions at Bandung for close to 30 years.

Eurocopter’s EC725 and EC225 are the latest-generation members of the Super Puma helicopter family. The EC725 Cougar is a long-range tactical transport helicopter for multi-role military missions, while the EC225 is used in civil and public service applications that range from off-shore airlift for the oil and gas industry to fire-fighting and search and rescue missions.

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 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic 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 more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 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.

For more information, please contact:

Eurocopter at the 2013 Dubai Airshow: Advanced military solutions and new executive helicopters for the Middle East’s demanding mission needs

With a Dubai Airshow presence dedicated to its customers, Eurocopter will showcase the company’s highly-capable military helicopters – represented at this biennial industry event by the combat-proven EC725 and efficient NH90 – and latest generation of corporate aircraft, including the new EC145 T2 and executive version EC175 being presented for the first time in the Middle East.

Eurocopter’s EC725 and NH90 both have demonstrated their efficiency in the most complex operational theaters, and will be presented at Dubai in scale model form to illustrate their capabilities for customers worldwide. To date, 17 military services from 12 countries have ordered 130 helicopters from the EC725/EC225 family for deployment in Afghanistan, Mali, Europe, Latin and South America, as well as Asia. Eurocopter designed its EC725 from the start as a true multi-role helicopter, capable of performing missions that include SAR, combat SAR, long-distance tactical transport and medical airlift, naval assignments, as well as logistics support and special operations.

The NH90’s naval version is considered as one of the most ambitious multi-national helicopter programs today. Built by NHIndustries – the consortium of Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker – more than 160 NH90s have been delivered to customers so far, accumulating 43 100 total flight hours in SAR operations and other missions in demanding conditions that include the Afghan theater. Compatible with 80 types of NATO frigates, the NH90 naval version has fully demonstrated its capabilities in a wide range of operations, from reconnaissance, ship identification and tracking to rescue and transportation of passengers and troops.

“Eurocopter has the most comprehensive range of helicopters in the world, which offer solutions for Middle East and Arabian Gulf operators,” explained Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “Building on our 40-plus year presence in this region – with more than 600 helicopters flown by civil and military users – Eurocopter is increasing its regional footprint by teaming with local partners for fleet modernization, overhaul and maintenance. Today, this includes the Eurocopter Kingdom Saudi Arabia subsidiary, and a maintenance center in Abu Dhabi with Falcon Aviation Services.”

The EC725 and NH90 scale models, along with an EC130 version, will be included in the pavilion exhibit of EADS, Eurocopter’s parent company. On the aircraft static display line at Dubai World Central beginning November 17 will be Eurocopter’s evolved EC145 T2, an AS350 B3 operated by the local helidubai services company and the next-generation EC175 in its executive version.

Highlighting Eurocopter’s aircraft for parapublic missions, the EC145 T2 on display is an evolved version of the company’s EC145 – an international reference in light utility helicopters, which is in service with such operators as France’s Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale, Germany’s DRF air rescue organization and the German Automobile Club (ADAC); along with many armed forces and police helicopter units around the world. This includes the U.S. Army, whose EC145-derived UH-72A Lakota has been cited by the U.S. Department of Defense as a model defense acquisition program and is one of the most successful, cost-effective aircraft procurement programs in history. As of late October 2013, a total of 279 Lakotas had been delivered to the U.S. Army.

Static display of the AS350 B3 operated by helidubai will put the spotlight on Eurocopter’s category of light helicopters, which also includes the EC130. Representing nearly 40 percent of Eurocopter’s worldwide in-service rotorcraft fleet, some 3,549 AS350s currently are flying around the globe. The AS350 outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for performance, versatility, safety – all with competitive acquisition and maintenance costs. It is the U.S. market’s no. 1 choice for law enforcement agencies and helicopter emergency medical service providers.

Completing Eurocopter’s product line-up for this biennial event is its next-generation EC175, which sets new standards in the medium-sized twin-engine helicopter market segment and is appearing for the first time at Dubai in its executive configuration. With designed-in attributes for a full range of operating conditions, combined with its speed and range, the EC175 is the solution to address all missions, including SAR, emergency medical services, public services, VIP transport and executive airlift.

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 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic 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 more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 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.

For more information, please contact:

The National Police of Peru Receives Its First Eurocopter EC145 Helicopter

The Peruvian Interior Ministry has received the first of four twin-engine Eurocopter EC145 helicopters that are set to modernize the fleet of the National Police of Peru. The formal handover was attended by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who took the occasion of his official visit to Peru to reiterate the cooperation between France and Peru in matters of defense and security. These new aircraft—the first units of this model to reach Peru—will be stationed at the Police Aviation Unit’s main base, from where they will perform public security missions as well as disaster relief throughout the country. The remaining three helicopters will be delivered before the end of the year.

In delivering this aircraft within less than one year after the contract for four helicopters was signed at the end of 2012, Eurocopter confirms its commitment to the National Police of Peru (PNP). This new acquisition equips the Police Aviation Unit with state-of-the-art helicopters for carrying out surveillance and national security missions.

“This country regards the modernization of our police aviation capabilities as a priority, and I am proud to be able to equip our police with a helicopter that has proved its effectiveness with police forces around the world,” said Wilfredo Pedraza, Peru’s interior minister, who expressed his satisfaction that the purchase was made within the framework of a government agreement between Paris and Lima.

(©Eurocopter, Charles Abarr)

The EC145 is one of the most popular models of light twin-engine helicopters, and is relied on around the world for public security and disaster relief missions. With more than 500 units delivered to date, this helicopter serves in the police fleets of 26 countries—including France, where the Ministry of the Interior operates 50 units.

“This ceremony serves to illustrate and reinforce the existing collaboration between the French Gendarmerie and the Peruvian National Police. I am pleased to see our relations extending to the field of aviation, where Eurocopter is at the technological forefront,” declared Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s defense minister.

Success has come to the EC145 throughout the Americas, beginning in the United States, where the government purchased 345 units of this helicopter to replace the Army’s UH-1Hs. In Latin America, the EC145 performs police and public service missions in a number of countries including Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Powerful and versatile, Eurocopter’s EC145 is perfectly suited to the Peruvian terrain, where it will carry out missions in extreme conditions at sea level, in the jungle, or up on the demanding Andean Plateau. With a payload capacity of more than 1.7 tons and a range of 370 nautical miles, the PNP’s new EC145s can transport up to 10 passengers. They are equipped with PA systems, a siren and multi-frequency radios for hub-and-spoke communications; one of them features a state-of-the-art infrared camera. This new high-definition camera, the only one in the country, will transmit live images to the command center or ground units, which will optimize surveillance and civil security missions.

“Peru has embarked on an ambitious project to modernize its helicopter fleet across the civil, parapublic and military sectors,” said Dominique Maudet, Eurocopter executive vice president, Global Business and Services. “Eurocopter is aiming to become a strategic partner for Peru, helping along growth of the country’s fleet by establishing new production, co-production, maintenance and training facilities.”

Eurocopter's Peruvian fleet has tripled in recent years; the vast majority (around 40 aircraft) are light single-engine helicopters from the Ecureuil range that are used for various types of aerial work. With the entry into service of the PNP’s EC145 medium-lift twin-engine helicopter, the Eurocopter fleet continues to expand and diversify within the Andean country.

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 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic 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 more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 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.

For more information, please contact:

The Lithuanian Air Force orders three Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters

Eurocopter will supply three AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters to the Lithuanian Air Force for a renewed countrywide search and rescue service with around-the-clock availability, adding another customer to the list of global operators using this twin-engine rotorcraft for vital life-saving missions.

The Lithuanian contract – signed October 25 at the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense in Vilnius – involves certain financing support from the European Union, and calls for all three helicopters to be delivered in 2015.

“Eurocopter will provide its full support to the settlement in Lithuania of this important new service, taking the AS365 N3’s already demonstrated mission capabilities in the most challenging operational conditions,” said Jacques Cardaillac, Eurocopter’s Head of Sales Northern Europe.

(© Alfredas Pliadis)

“The new helicopters will help to fulfil search and rescue missions and perform environmental monitoring and control which are of high importance for Lithuania. Therefore, by signing this contract today we assure that the Lithuanian Armed Forces will be able to help saving people's lives and promptly respond to various crises in the future, “ Marijus Velička, National Defence Vice Minister said at the signing ceremony.

In addition to their search and rescue duties, the Lithuanian Air Force’s AS365 N3 Dauphins will be available for tasks such as observing the effects of drought and floods, tracking crop conditions and plant disease, as well as the monitoring of marine pollution and other environmental dangers.

The 4.5-ton class AS365 N3 retains the distinctive shape of Eurocopter’s Dauphin family and incorporates the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor. Dauphin helicopters have been in service with some 300 customers in 69 countries – among which are 200 Dauphin helicopters operating search and rescue missions. The total Dauphin fleet has accumulated more than five million flight hours.

Within the Eurocopter’s Dauphin helicopter product line, the AS365 N3 is widely operated around the world by military, parapublic and civilian operators, performing search and rescue missions such as the Navies of France, Bulgaria, as well as the Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

When delivered to Lithuania, the three new AS365 N3 rotorcraft will join the Eurocopter EC120, EC135 and EC145 helicopters currently used by the Lithuanian Border Guard for security and law enforcement duties.

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 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic 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 more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 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.

For more information, please contact: