Eurocopter EC135 Multimission Helicopter

EC135 is a multimission twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. The helicopter offers extended range and payload capacities, while delivering low noise operations. The EC135 helicopter is widely operated by police forces, emergency medical services (EMS) and charter companies.

The EC135 can conduct homeland security, law enforcement, passenger and VIP transport, search and rescue (SAR) and EMS operations. EC135 accounts for 57% of helicopters used in homeland security roles in the UK. It is the front-line helicopter for police surveillance across the British Isles.

The EC135 made its first flight in February 1994. It received FAA certification in July 1996. Eurocopter delivered more than 1,000 EC135 helicopters to more than 100 customers across the world.

EC135 helicopter upgrades, orders and deliveries

Upgraded versions of the EC135, named EC135 P2i/T2i, with improved payload and take-off, were announced in 2006. EC135 P2e/T2e offering even higher payloads and take-off power over the EC135 P2i/T2i were introduced in mid-2011.

In March 2013, Eurocopter launched the improved EC135 T3/P3 helicopter versions at Heli-Expo 2013. The EC135 T3/P3 variants feature cockpit innovations and upgraded engines, delivering extended range and improved flight characteristics.

The German Federal Police is one of the largest governmental operators of the EC135 helicopter. It operates a fleet of 41 EC135s in total.

Other customers of EC135 include Austrian Police, Czech Police Aviation Department, Ministry of Interior of Romania, West Midlands Police, Bavarian State Police, French Customs Service, Lithuanian Border Guard, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) and Irish Air Corps.

The Japan National Police Agency (NPA) received its first EC135 T2 helicopter in January 2013. The helicopter will be deployed to conduct law enforcement missions in the Tokyo region.

French Gendarmerie placed a follow-on order for three additional EC135 helicopters in June 2011, to complement its existing fleet of 12 EC135s.

In February 2010, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior placed an order for 12 EC135 P2i helicopters. The helicopters will join the 14 EC135s owned by the National Police Force and the Guardia Civil.

Design of the twin-engine helicopter

The EC135 incorporates a crash-worthy airframe, integrating energy-absorbing fuselage and seats and crash-resistant fuel tanks. The Fenestron tail rotor and a bearingless main rotor system provide the EC135 with high performance attributes. The helicopter is ideal for EMS and law enforcement agencies, as it generates 50% lesser noise in comparison with older-generation rotorcraft of the same class.

The EC135 has a length of 12.16m, width of 2.65m and a height of 3.51m. The fuselage of the helicopter is 10.2m long. The diameters of main and tail rotors are 10.2m and one metre respectively.

The helicopter can be equipped with a rescue hoist, searchlight, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera and LO-JACK tracker to support law enforcement missions.

EC135 cockpit and avionics

The EC135 helicopter is equipped with fully integrated Thales glass cockpit incorporating LCD multifunction display panels. The pilot and co-pilot are seated in a side-by-side arrangement. The central panel display system (CPDS) integrates a vehicle and engine multifunction display (VEMD) and a caution advisory display (CAD). The cockpit can be optionally fitted with a fully integrated automatic flight control system (AFCS).

Cabin, engines and performance of Eurocopter’s aircraft

The spacious cabin has a volume of 5.9m³. It has a single level and is provided with unobstructed flat floor providing a very high load capability of 600kg/m². The wide cabin also offers outstanding visibility for observation operations.

The flat floor and rails ensure the users to install medical devices or mission specific equipment. The two wide sliding doors and the two rear-hinged clamshell doors allow the entry and exit of occupants. The cabin can accommodate five to six personnel in its standard configuration.

The EC135 is provided with two engine options, including Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. The two engines are equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), fire detectors and an over-speed protection system. Each engine develops a maximum take-off power of 609kW.

The EC135 can fly at a maximum speed of 259km/h. The maximum operating altitude is 20,000ft. The helicopter can climb at a rate of 7.6m/s. Its maximum range with standard tanks is 635km.

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