Airbus Helicopters H135

Airbus Helicopters H135
Name	H135
Type	Light utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Airbus Helicopters
First flight	15 February 1994 (as EC135)
Introduced	1996
Status	In service
Primary users	Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht, ADAC Luftrettung, National Police Air Service, Japan Coast Guard
Produced	1996–present
Number built	1,400+ (all variants, as of 2023)
Developed from	MBB Bo 105
Variants	Eurocopter EC635

Airbus Helicopters H135. The H135, originally marketed as the Eurocopter EC135, is a twin-engine civil light utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. It is widely used for roles including emergency medical services, corporate transport, law enforcement, and military training. Since its certification in 1996, over 1,400 units have been delivered, making it one of the most successful helicopters in its class globally.

Development

The helicopter's origins trace back to the late 1980s, developed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) as a successor to the highly successful MBB Bo 105. Following the merger that formed Eurocopter in 1992, the program was continued, with the prototype, then designated EC135, first flying in 1994. Key development partners included Pratt & Whitney Canada and Turbomeca, who supplied the initial Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206 and Turbomeca Arrius engine options. Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency was achieved in 1996, with subsequent validation by the Federal Aviation Administration opening the crucial North American market. The design incorporated advanced technology from the Fenestron tail rotor used on the Eurocopter Dauphin and a fly-by-wire system for its autopilot.

Design

The H135 features a four-blade, bearingless main rotor system that reduces maintenance and vibration. Its most distinctive design element is the shrouded Fenestron tail rotor, which enhances safety on the ground and reduces acoustic signature. The airframe utilizes composite materials and features a crashworthy structure certified under stringent European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards. The standard cockpit is configured for a crew of two with integrated Avionics from suppliers like Garmin and Honeywell, often featuring a Glass cockpit. The cabin is modular, easily reconfigured for missions ranging from air ambulance with space for two medical attendants to executive transport for up to seven passengers. The helicopter is powered by two Turboshaft engines, with current production models using the Safran Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B3.

Operational history

Entering service in 1996 with launch customer Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht, the H135 quickly became a cornerstone of Helicopter emergency medical services across Europe, particularly in Germany with operators like ADAC Luftrettung. Its adoption expanded globally for law enforcement, with major fleets operated by the National Police Air Service in the United Kingdom and the Guardia Civil in Spain. Military services, including the German Army and the Japanese Ministry of Defense, employ it primarily for training and light utility roles. The type has seen extensive use in corporate shuttle services and offshore wind farm support. Notable incidents include its involvement in the 2006 New York City plane crash and the 2013 Vauxhall helicopter crash, with investigations led by the National Transportation Safety Board and Air Accidents Investigation Branch respectively.

Variants

* EC135 P1/T1: Initial production models, with P models powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines and T models by Turbomeca Arrius 2B1 engines. * EC135 P2/T2: Enhanced versions introduced in the early 2000s with more powerful engines, improved performance, and a higher maximum takeoff weight. * EC135 P2+/T2+: Variants featuring a lengthened tail boom for increased stability and an enlarged horizontal stabilizer. * H135 (Current): Rebranded designation following the renaming of Eurocopter to Airbus Helicopters in 2014. Incorporates the Helionix avionics suite and other aerodynamic refinements. * EC635: Military utility variant capable of being equipped with weapons, used by the Royal Jordanian Air Force and the Swiss Air Force.

Operators

The H135 is operated by numerous civil, parapublic, and military organizations worldwide. Major civil emergency medical service operators include DRF Luftrettung and REGA (air rescue). Law enforcement operators are extensive, such as the Polizei (Germany), Police Scotland, and the New South Wales Police Force. Significant corporate and utility operators include Bristow Helicopters and CHC Helicopter. Military operators beyond training commands include the Spanish Navy and the Irish Air Corps. Government agencies like the Japan Coast Guard and the United States Department of Homeland Security also utilize the type.

Specifications (H135)

* Crew: 1–2 * Capacity: 7–8 passengers (standard configuration) * Length: 12.16 m (fuselage) * Height: 3.51 m * Empty weight: 1,495 kg * Max takeoff weight: 2,980 kg * Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 turboshaft engines * Maximum speed: 259 km/h * Range: 635 km * Service ceiling: 6,096 m

Category:Airbus helicopters Category:Light utility helicopters Category:Twin-turbine helicopters