Eurocopter and the German Federal Ministry of Defense today signed a freelance for 15 EC645 T2 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) for use by Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), Germany’s Special Forces Command. With this order, the Bundeswehr has now joined the shopper list for the foremost powerful model in Eurocopter’s proven EC145 family.
The contract, worth a complete of 194 million euros, includes not only the helicopters but in addition the related equipment packages to permit KSK to hold out its special operations missions. Deliveries of the 15 aircraft begin in late 2015 and may be completed by mid-2017.
“By selecting the EC645 T2, the Bundeswehr is setting a global benchmark,” explained Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Eurocopter Germany, in the course of the contract signing. “They are putting their faith in proven technologies from missions around the globe. Among others, the U.S. Army successfully operates a fleet of greater than 270 EC145s, the aircraft on which the EC645 T2 relies. This helicopter is a cost-effective, low-risk and quickly available method to perform missions for special forces that has already won out several times against international competition.”
The LUH contract enhances the Special Forces Command’s operational capability. The day and night missions that these helicopters will perform include insertion and extraction of special ops, fire support and reconnaissance.
The EC645 T2 LUH incorporates a modern digital cockpit with full night vision and a 4-axis autopilot. Its communication equipment including tactical radios enables interoperability among NATO forces. Special ops teams can quickly access the aircraft way to its spacious cabin, which has two large sliding side doors and double doors on the rear. The helicopter’s maximum take-off weight is 3.7 tons. Troop safety is improved by the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, particularly for flight operations in confined landing sites and whenever the rotor is popping on ground.
In addition, the mission equipment packages include fast rope system, cargo hooks and hoists. The aircraft also are equipped with pintle armament and electro-optical sensors. A self-protection system and ballistic protection further increase crew safety and aircraft survivability. The EC645 T2 is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines and is supplied with dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC).
The helicopter could be strategically airlifted in an Airbus A400M and quickly prepared for the mission upon arrival in a theater of operations.
In determining a helicopter from Eurocopter’s EC145 family, the Bundeswehr has selected a model according to one which already performs a large range of missions all over the world, with some 600 aircraft having been dropped at greater than 40 countries.
One international reference for the EC145 family’s capabilities and efficiency is the U.S. Army’s LUH program, during which the EC145, designated UH-72A Lakota, has effectively performed light utility helicopter duties since 2006. Of a complete order for 322 units, greater than 270 aircraft have already been delivered on time and on budget. The U.S. Army has repeatedly held the UH-72A up for instance of a successful procurement program.
The EC145 has also been in operation for decades by renowned customers inclusive of France’s Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale, Germany’s DRF air rescue organization and the German Automobile Club (ADAC), along side many militia and police helicopter units world wide.
In addition, the EC645 T2 offers the Bundeswehr the opportunity of increased synergies: for the reason that the German Army Aviation School in Bückeburg has for a few years been using the EC135 for pilot training, Eurocopter’s family concept opens up additional benefits in training, operations and logistics for these aircraft.
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a global leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position because 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 within the civil and parapublic sectors.
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