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| Airbus H135 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Airbus H135 |
| Type | Light utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 1995 |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Status | In service |
Airbus H135 The Airbus H135 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter widely used for air ambulance missions, law enforcement operations, and corporate transport. It traces lineage to designs developed by MBB and Eurocopter, entering service amid procurement programs involving agencies such as NHS England, Bundespolizei, and municipal authorities in London. The type competes with platforms used by Westland Helicopters, Bell Helicopter, and Sikorsky Aircraft in international markets including Germany, United Kingdom, and United States.
Design work began from projects by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm and continued through mergers affecting DASA and Aerospatiale, culminating in manufacturing under Airbus Helicopters. The rotorcraft uses a fenestron anti-torque system derived from research at Eurocopter and earlier studies by Sikorsky and Westland, combining it with a hingeless main rotor concept influenced by designs from MBB and structural approaches tested in NHIndustries programs. Avionics suites integrate equipment from suppliers such as Honeywell International, Garmin, and Thales Group, reflecting certification standards set by EASA and FAA.
The H135 airframe uses composite materials and crashworthy seating developed following guidelines from ICAO and investigations by AAIB, and its gearbox and transmission systems trace heritage to components validated in trials by Bundeswehr and RCAF test units. Powerplants installed include variants of engines produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada and Safran, optimized through collaborations with MTU Aero Engines and tested under environmental regimes overseen by NASA research facilities and European test centers in Cranfield.
Civil and military variants evolved through designations reflecting mission equipment, certification, and export configurations. Early production adapted configurations used by NHS Scotland and corporate operators in Monaco, while military utility versions were tailored for requirements of German Navy, Royal Navy, and other services. Special equipment fits include medevac interiors procured by organizations such as Scandinavian Air Ambulance and airborne law enforcement sensor packages supplied to agencies in Spain and Italy. Lightweight and enhanced-performance subtypes incorporate mission systems from FLIR Systems and rotor modifications influenced by studies conducted with DLR.
The type entered widespread operational service in the late 1990s with high-profile deployments for emergency medical services in regions such as Bavaria, Scotland, and New South Wales. It has been used in multinational exercises alongside helicopters from US Army units and in support tasks during events like G8 Summit security deployments and humanitarian missions coordinated through UN agencies. Fleet deployments for law enforcement and search and rescue have seen integrations with air traffic control procedures in centers such as Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
Operators have upgraded avionics and mission systems over time in response to operational lessons learned from incidents investigated by AAIB, BEA, and NTSB, and maintenance practices follow directives influenced by findings published by EASA and standards from ISO. The helicopter has supported VIP transport missions for government offices in countries including Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Civil operators include commercial air ambulance providers such as Air Ambulance Charity organizations in United Kingdom and corporate flight departments for entities headquartered in Zurich, Monaco, and Dubai. Military and government users include national services like Bundespolizei, municipal police units in Spain, and coast guard agencies in Norway and Portugal. Typical roles encompass emergency medical services, law enforcement patrols, offshore transport for energy companies operating in North Sea fields, aerial surveying for firms in Brazil, and pilot training programs conducted at academies such as CAE and FlightSafety International.
Typical mission equipment includes twin turboshaft engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada or Safran, skid or wheeled landing gear options, a fenestron anti-torque tail rotor, and a multi-function glass cockpit integrating systems from Honeywell International, Thales Group, and Garmin. Performance figures commonly cited in operator documentation compare favorably to rivals from Bell Textron and Leonardo S.p.A. in categories such as cruise speed, hover ceiling, and payload capacity. Certification conforms with standards enforced by EASA and FAA, while maintenance intervals align with guidance from Airbus Helicopters and national aviation authorities like CAA (United Kingdom).
Safety record reviews reference investigations by AAIB, BEA, and NTSB into selected events involving the helicopter type, with corrective actions implemented through service bulletins issued by Airbus Helicopters and oversight from EASA. Operators have reported incidents related to environmental factors encountered during missions in regions such as Alps rescues and North Sea offshore transfers, prompting airworthiness directives and training updates developed alongside institutions such as ICAO, European Commission, and national safety boards. Modernizations including advanced avionics and flight data monitoring systems from suppliers like FLIR Systems and Honeywell International aim to reduce accident risk and improve situational awareness for crews operating in complex environments.
Category:Helicopters