New Helicopters from Eurocopter

Eurocopter will unveil three new helicopters here as it pursues its strategy of marketing a completely modern fleet.
The company is exhibiting in an ebullient mood, with an expansive display of at least eight of its commercial range of helicopters. On the military side it's celebrating the beginning of production of two major programs-the Tiger attack helicopter for Germany and France, and the NH90 transport, which could represent the single largest rotorcraft program this century. Both are here at the show.

The new helicopters are the single-engined EC 130 B4, which was officially unveiled at Heli-Expo in February but has not been seen before in Europe; the brand-new, twin-engined EC 145 based on the proven BK 117 C-1; and the 31-passenger EC 225/EC 725, based on the highly successful Super Puma/Cougar family.

The Tiger will team in the flying display here with the EC 130 B4 and EC 725, as well as an EC 135 and an NH90.

• EC 130 B4. The eight-seat, 2.4 ton-class helicopter is a derivative of the Ecureuil AS 350 B3 with an enlarged cabin floor and baggage compartment. It incorporates some components from the EC 120 light single, such as windshield and doors, and the Fenestron tail rotor from the EC 135. The result is a cabin 25 cm wider and 10% more baggage space than the Ecureuil, and a noise level 7 dB below ICAO's Chapter 8 limit which, Eurocopter says, makes it one of the quietest helicopters in the world.
• EC 145. If you think it looks like a pointy-nosed BK 117, you can understand where it came from. Eurocopter took the venerable-but popular-BK 117 C-1 and modernized it throughout, meanwhile adding a considerably larger cabin and seating for the pilot and nine passengers. It is 60% quieter than the BK 117, and 6.7 dB below ICAO noise requirements. This is particularly important as the BK 117 is very popular with EMS and police services. It retains that appeal with elimination of the center and door posts; large sliding doors on the side and rear clamshell doors make the cabin easily accessible.
• EC 225/EC 725. This twin-engined, 11-ton transport and multi-mission helicopter can seat two pilots and up to 29 troops. Based on the fuselage of the successful Super Puma/Cougar family, it features a new Spheriflex five-blade main rotor, new gearbox, more powerful Makila engines, and a full de-icing/anti-icing system. A hydraulically actuated cabin rear ramp allows maximum loading flexibility; it can carry 5,000 kg on an external sling; and range is 1,000 nmi. Certification of the civil EC 225 is set for 2002, and military qualifications for the EC 725 for SAR combat missions in 2003.