The National Police Agency of Japan acquires four new helicopters from Eurocopter to be deployed to various prefectures

Eurocopter Japan recently signed contracts with Japan’s National Police Agency for a total of four helicopters. Comprising two medium-class and two twin-engine light helicopters, the new acquisitions will be deployed to Hyogo Prefectural Police (EC155 B1), Hiroshima Prefectural Police (AS365 N3+), Osaka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e) and Fukuoka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e), as replacements for ageing aircraft in the respective fleets.

The brand new EC155 B1 from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family will be the National Police Agency’s (NPA) first acquisition of this helicopter type. Incidentally, it is also the first Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft to be operated by Hyogo Prefectural Police, with delivery planned for 2015. Hiroshima Prefectural Police’s AS365 N3+ will also be delivered in 2015; while Osaka and Fukuoka will receive their EC135 P2e in 2014.

The ability to meet varying customer needs with a wide range of products, coupled with the availability of a total-support system in the country, have enabled Eurocopter Japan to increase its market share in the law enforcement sector over the years. NPA is currently operating a fleet of 29 Eurocopter light-twin and medium-class helicopters across the country, used for police activities including crime-prevention, investigative search and security patrols, as well as other public service missions such as life-saving operations and transportation.
 

(© Eurocopter Japan, Chikako Hirano)

“We are very honored to have signed the contract with NPA, which shows the trust they have in our products and appreciation of our total-support service commitment,” said Stephane Ginoux, President & CEO of Eurocopter Japan. “We can never emphasize enough on our will to offer the best and most comprehensive support and services for our customers not only in the area of maintenance, but also training, which is a crucial element in ensuring flight safety.”

Both the EC155 B1 and AS365 N3+ come from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family, with the EC155 B1 being the high-end, enhanced version equipped with the latest technologies. Versatile for multi-mission use and well-known for its low vibration and quietness thanks to Eurocopter’s famous Fenestron® tail rotor, the EC155 B1 has a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to 15 persons (2 pilots + 13 passengers) comfortably. Dauphins are particularly well-received in police, fire-fighting, disaster management and news gathering activities. There are currently 57 Dauphin helicopters operating in Japan.

The EC135 is a light twin-engine helicopter equipped with state-of-art technology, including Eurocopter’s Fenestron® tail rotor. Not only does it have a low noise level compared with helicopters in the same class, it is also able to perform many different types of missions with good fuel efficiency. Used widely for law enforcement and emergency medical services worldwide, it is also a popular machine in Japan, with 75 EC135s currently being operated in various types of missions.

Eurocopter UK reinforces its British private/VIP market leadership with the delivery of three AS350 and EC120 helicopters

With a series of deliveries, Eurocopter has further extended its lead in Britain’s private/VIP market and once more confirmed the company’s role as Britain’s civil helicopter hub. Two of the rotorcraft are the AS350 B3e evolved members of Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, while the third is an EC120 B.

The design and customization activities for these aircraft were performed in the UK, with the Eurocopter UK subsidiary applying its onshore expertise in work ranging from avionics integration to interior design and outfitting, as well as installation of other customer-defined systems such as radar altimeters and iPads.

“Tailored solutions based on British design, parts manufacturing, integration, flight testing and certification have made us the preferred choice of UK customers in this market segment,” said Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK Limited. “We are proud to continue the expansion of our unique civil helicopter heritage, skills and customer base, and will continue to extend Britain’s civil helicopter hub even more in the future.”
 

© Eurocopter  Anthony Pecchi

A fleet of 314 turbine helicopters is operated by private and business aviation customers across the UK, which represents the largest market of its kind in Europe, and is ranked third worldwide. With close to 40% of this fleet in Britain, Eurocopter provides more than any other helicopter manufacturer.

EADS and Airbus donate four million RMB to earthquake hit Ya’an city in South western China

Eurocopter, another EADS subsidiary also contributes to disaster relief operations

24 April 2013

Airbus and its parent company EADS have donated a total of RMB 4 million (about US$647,200) to the earthquake hit area of Ya’an, Sichuan province, in south west of China via the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC).

Eurocopter, another subsidy of EADS has also contributed to the disaster relief operations. Since 21^st April, two Eurocopter helicopters, EC120 and EC135, have been deployed on the earthquake site. Moreover, Eurocopter China will provide special technical and financial support to its Sichuan based private operator, Sichuan Xilin Fengteng General Aviation Cmpany from Guanghan, for the operation of the two helicopters, on request of the Authorities, to participate to the disaster relief air rescue missions.

Airbus China has expressed its intention to contribute to the after-quake reconstruction of Ya’an through supporting students in need in the area.

A quake measured at magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck Ya’an on Saturday morning, leaving more than 200 people dead missing and more than 11,000 injured. The number of casualties is expected increase as the rescue efforts continue.

Eurocopter delivers the first Tiger HAD version to the French DGA

Eurocopter’s first production Tiger helicopter in the HAD attack configuration was delivered to France’s DGA armament procurement agency today for operation by French Army Aviation units, providing a highly capable combat weapon system that is tailored to the world’s evolving battlefield conditions.

This milestone followed DGA qualification of the Tiger HAD version on April 10, and marked the delivery startup for Eurocopter’s latest variant of a rotorcraft product line which has already been combat proven during military operations in Afghanistan, Libya and today in Mali.

“With the Tiger HAD, Eurocopter further expands the operational capabilities of a combat helicopter family which has demonstrated its mission effectiveness and performance in highly challenging military deployments,” said Dominique Maudet, the Eurocopter group’s Executive Officer for France, and Vice President of Global Business and Services.
 

© Eurocopter Thierry Rostang

To date, France has ordered 40 Tiger combat helicopters in HAD configuration for its French Army Aviation units. Another 24 helicopters has been ordered by the Spanish government to equip the Spanish Army (which includes six Tiger HAP support and escort versions retrofitted for fire support and attack missions).

Feature improvements of the Tiger HAD variant include two enhanced MTR390 turboshaft engines that provide 14 percent more power, improved ballistic protection, a new optronic sighting system, the capability to target and launch Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, an evolved electronic warfare suite, and an IFF (identification, friend or foe) interrogation system.

97 multi-role Tiger family currently are in service in four countries: France, Germany, Spain and Australia; which have ordered a total of 206 helicopters.