DTN News - GERMAN DEFENSE NEWS: Germany’s Special Forces Command Set to Fly Eurocopter’s EC645 T2 Light Utility Helicopter

DTN News - GERMAN DEFENSE NEWS: Germany’s Special Forces Command Set to Fly Eurocopter’s EC645 T2 Light Utility Helicopter
*Eurocopter and the German Federal Ministry of Defense today signed a contract for 15 EC645 T2 Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to be used by Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), Germany’s Special Forces Command. With this order, the Bundeswehr has now joined the customer list for the most powerful model in Eurocopter’s proven EC145 family.

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 17, 2013: The contract, worth a total of 194 million euros, includes not just the helicopters but also the related equipment packages to allow KSK to carry out its special operations missions. Deliveries of the 15 aircraft begin in late 2015 and will be completed by mid-2017.

“By selecting the EC645 T2, the Bundeswehr is setting an international benchmark,” explained Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Eurocopter Germany, during the contract signing. “They are putting their faith in proven technologies from missions around the world. Among others, the U.S. Army successfully operates a fleet of more than 270 EC145s, the aircraft on which the EC645 T2 is based. This helicopter is an economical, low-risk and quickly available solution to carry out missions for special forces that has already won out several times against international competition.”

The LUH contract enhances the Special Forces Command’s operational capability. The day and night missions that these helicopters will perform include insertion and extraction of special ops, fire support and reconnaissance.

The EC645 T2 LUH features a modern digital cockpit with full night vision and a 4-axis autopilot. Its communication equipment including tactical radios enables interoperability among NATO forces. Special ops teams can quickly access the aircraft thanks to its spacious cabin, which has two large sliding side doors and double doors at the rear. The helicopter’s maximum take-off weight is 3.7 tons. Troop safety is improved by the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, particularly for flight operations in confined landing sites and whenever the rotor is turning on ground.

In addition, the mission equipment packages include fast rope system, cargo hooks and hoists. The aircraft are also equipped with pintle armament and electro-optical sensors. A self-protection system and ballistic protection further increase crew safety and aircraft survivability. The EC645 T2 is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines and is equipped with dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC).

The helicopter can be strategically airlifted in an Airbus A400M and quickly prepared for the mission upon arrival in a theater of operations.

In opting for a helicopter from Eurocopter’s EC145 family, the Bundeswehr has selected a model based on one that already performs a wide variety of missions around the world, with some 600 aircraft having been delivered to more than 40 countries. One international reference for the EC145 family’s capabilities and efficiency is the U.S. Army’s LUH program, in which the EC145, designated UH-72A Lakota, has effectively performed light utility helicopter duties since 2006. Of a total order for 322 units, more than 270 aircraft have already been delivered on time and on budget. The U.S. Army has repeatedly held the UH-72A up as an example of a successful procurement program. The EC145 has also been in operation for many years by renowned customers such as France’s Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale, Germany’s DRF air rescue organization and the German Automobile Club (ADAC), along with many armed forces and police helicopter units around the world.

In addition, the EC645 T2 offers the Bundeswehr the potential for increased synergies: given that the German Army Aviation School in Bückeburg has for many years been using the EC135 for pilot training, Eurocopter’s family concept opens up additional benefits in training, operations and logistics for these aircraft.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:
Stéphane CHERY
Head of International Media Relations
Eurocopter

Tel.:+33 4 42 85 60 51
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70
Pascale FLEURY
Media Relations France, Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East & Africa
Eurocopter

Tel.:+33 4 42 85 62 38
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70
Cell:+33 6 32 54 05 02
Gloria ILLAS
Media Relations Latin America & Southern Europe
Eurocopter

Tel.:+33 4 42 85 58 89
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70
Christoph MÜLLER
Head of Communications, Eurocopter Germany
Eurocopter

Tel.:+49 906 71 57 39
Fax:+49 906 71 39 39
Priscilla YIP
External Communications Asia Pacific
Eurocopter

Tel.:+ 65 6 59 27 217
Fax:+ 65 6 65 90 872


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: Eurocopter’s Multi-Role EC645 Military Helicopter To Make Its Debut At The 2010 Eurosatory Exhibition

DTN News: Eurocopter’s Multi-Role EC645 Military Helicopter To Make Its Debut At The 2010 Eurosatory Exhibition

Source: DTN News / Eurocopter By Pacale Fleury

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 16, 2010: The newest member of Eurocopter’s military helicopter family will be shown for the first time at next week’s Eurosatory defense exhibition with the EC645’s unveiling as a highly capable, medium-sized multirole platform for armed reconnaissance, fire support, observation, airlift missions and search & rescue.

The EC645 is the militarized version of Eurocopter’s EC145 helicopter, which is in widespread use worldwide for homeland security, para-military, law enforcement, search & rescue and medical evacuation missions, along with other applications. The U.S. Army currently is acquiring 345 EC145s in the UH-72A configuration as its new Light Utility Helicopter, while a U.S.-specific armed version called the AAS-72X is to be proposed for the U.S. military’s Armed Aerial Scout requirement.

The EC645 responds to demands for a 3.5-metric ton weight category that can be rapidly reconfigured for a full range of mission requirements to meet complex combat scenarios such as asymmetric warfare.

Equipped with the Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS) developed by Eurocopter and ATE, the EC645 incorporates a mission computer, an electro-optical system with TV and infrared cameras and laser telemeter (with laser designator as needed), a targeting system with a helmet mounted sight and display, two multi-purpose weapon pylons with slaving units, and a choice of weapons loads (guns, missiles and unguided or guided rockets). This integrated weapons system – combined with the aircraft’s glass cockpit – provides full situational awareness for the crew, while self-protection is provided by the helicopter’s armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, threat detectors and chaff/flare dispensers.

The EC645’s unobstructed large main cabin is easily re-configurable to maximize its mission flexibility and the helicopter's sliding side and rear clamshell doors optimize access. The high-set main and tail rotors provide unparalleled safety, access and space utilization, and allow loading/unloading of cargo, passengers and patients while the rotors are turning.

Eurocopter is also exhibiting a 1 scale model of the NH-90 in both configurations, tactical transport and Naval, reflecting the scope of this helicopter program in Europe, which, to date, has received more than 529 orders from 14 nations.

Also to be displayed are Eurocopter’s Tiger attack helicopter and Eurocopter’s EC725 (RESCO) combat search & rescue helicopter, both of which are operational with French military forces in Afghanistan. 206 Tiger helicopters have been ordered by France, Germany, Australia and Spain, with this platform specially designed to integrate a wide variety of weapon systems that meet the specific military requirements of each customer. The deployment of three Tiger helicopters in the HAP version by French military forces to Afghanistan has confirmed the aircraft’s exceptional capabilities in support of ground operations.

The EC725 also has been successfully deployed by France in Afghanistan, demonstrating its role as an invaluable asset in supporting coalition forces. Eurocopter’s growing list of government customers for this 11-ton-class helicopter also includes Brazil, Malaysia and Mexico.

Completing Eurocopter’s exhibit at Eurosatory are its AS550 Fennec, AS565 Panther, and EC635, which round out the presence of the company’s full military helicopter product line.

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and para-public market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and para-public sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

For more information, please contact: Pascale FLEURY: Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 62 38 Mob:+ 33 (0)6 32 54 05 02 pascale.fleury@eurocopter.com Christina GOTZHEIN: Tel: +49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 Mob: + 49 (0) 151 14 22 92 43 christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com Melanie WOLF: Tel: 49 (0) 906 71 57 39 Mob: + 49 (0) 151 17 12 63 18 melanie.wolf@eurocopter.com