Airbus H135 (formerly Eurocopter EC135)
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| Airbus H135 (formerly Eurocopter EC135) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Airbus H135 (formerly Eurocopter EC135) |
| Type | Light twin-engine utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 1994 |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Various civil and military operators |
Airbus H135 (formerly Eurocopter EC135) is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed for civil and para-public roles. Derived from the MBB Bo 108 and introduced by Eurocopter in the 1990s, the type has seen widespread adoption by emergency medical services, law enforcement, offshore operators, and armed forces. The design emphasizes low-noise operation, advanced rotor technology, and versatility across missions for operators such as Lufthansa, Airbus Helicopters, and national air services.
Introduction
The H135 traces its roots to the experimental projects of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm and later programs under Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters. First flown in the mid-1990s, the model entered service with civil operators including Air Ambulance Service providers, municipal Police Scotland, and corporate flight departments. Its compact cabin, hingeless main rotor derived from research at MBB, and fenestron tail rotor made it attractive to organizations operating in urban environments such as London, Berlin, and Paris.
Design and Development
Development began following the lineage of the Bo 108 demonstrator, with design teams drawing on experience from MBB, Aérospatiale, and later corporate integration under Eurocopter Group. The H135 employed a four-blade bearingless main rotor, a fenestron enclosed tail rotor, and composite airframe components influenced by studies at Deutsche Aerospace and DASA. Powerplants have included engines from Turbomeca and Pratt & Whitney Canada, with avionics suites integrating systems by Garmin, Thales Group, and Honeywell. Certification paths involved authorities such as European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Federal Aviation Administration, reflecting international market ambitions pursued through orders from operators in Germany, United Kingdom, United States, and China.
Variants and Modifications
Production variants encompassed single- and twin-engine configurations, with marketing designations reflecting different avionics, engine options, and mission equipment. Notable factory and aftermarket versions involved collaborations with Leonardo S.p.A., Rheinmetall, and specialized fit-outs by Drägerwerk for medical interiors, or FLIR Systems for surveillance sensors. Military and law-enforcement adaptations produced models with mission kits for Night Vision Goggles operations, hoists, external cargo hooks, and weaponization options considered by procurement agencies in Spain, Norway, and Australia. Upgrade programs from Airbus Helicopters and third-party MROs incorporated glass cockpits, Helios-derived avionics, and structural reinforcements used by operators like Austro Control and BAE Systems subcontractors.
Operational History
The H135 entered widespread civil service in the late 1990s, supporting air ambulance missions, urban police patrols, and corporate transport. National operators included Bundespolizei, Royal Air Force, and municipal services in Vienna and Zurich. It served in international events such as the 2000 Sydney Olympics and UEFA Euro operations, providing aerial support and media platforms. Offshore oil-and-gas support missions were performed for companies like Shell and BP in the North Sea, while military users employed the type for training and liaison tasks in organizations such as German Army Aviation and Royal Danish Air Force.
Civilian and Military Roles
Civil operators used the H135 for air ambulance work for providers including HeliMed contractors, for aerial law enforcement with agencies such as New York Police Department aviation units and Metropolitan Police Service, and for corporate transport for firms including Siemens and Deutsche Telekom. Military and para-military roles encompassed training squadrons, light utility and reconnaissance for services like Austrian Air Force, and support duties in peacekeeping operations coordinated with organizations such as NATO. Specialized mission equipment enabled roles in search and rescue alongside agencies like Samaritans and national coast guards, and in aerial firefighting support with operators linked to Fire and Rescue NSW.
Specifications
General characteristics - Crew: 1–2 (pilot(s)) - Capacity: up to 7 passengers depending on configuration for operators including Air France business charters and Helvetic Airways VIP operations - Powerplant: twin turboshaft engines from manufacturers such as Turbomeca and Pratt & Whitney Canada - Rotor system: hingeless four-blade main rotor; fenestron tail rotor designed following concepts from MBB - Empty weight/Max takeoff weight: class values typical of light twins serving European Aviation Safety Agency categories
Performance - Cruise speed and range figures varied by variant and outfitting, meeting mission profiles requested by HeliOffshore and municipal operators across Europe and Asia.
Accidents and Incidents
The type has experienced incidents investigated by agencies such as Air Accidents Investigation Branch and BEA (France), involving civil operators, emergency services, and military users. Investigations often addressed factors including maintenance regimes overseen by MROs like Lufthansa Technik, operational procedures of air ambulance providers, and situational factors in urban operations noted by authorities in London and Munich. Lessons from inquiries influenced airworthiness directives issued by European Union Aviation Safety Agency and procedural updates across fleets operated by organizations including CHC Helicopter and regional emergency services.