| French Defense Ministry orders two Eurocopter EC225 helicopters for search and rescue missions |
|
Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS and the world's leading
helicopter manufacturer, is pleased to announce the purchase of two
EC225s by the French Defense Ministry for the country's navy.
The
two EC225s ordered by the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) will
be the first to be operated by the French Navy. The helicopters, which
will be used to perform search and rescue (SAR) missions off the coast
of Brittany, are slated for delivery in the first half of 2010 and will
be assigned to the Lanvéoc naval air station in the Finistère region.
They are destined to replace the navy's Super-Frelon helicopters, which
are near the end of their service life, and will be operated until such
time as the first NH90 NFH helicopters enter service at the base in
late 2011.
"We are extremely pleased that the DGA continues to
place its confidence in Eurocopter products," declared Eurocopter CEO
Lutz Bertling. "Since it was first launched, the EC225 has been
selected in nearly every tender in which it was a candidate. This
helicopter has quickly become the reference for sea SAR missions around
the world."
The many operators who count on the EC225 for SAR
missions testify to its success: South Korea's national rescue agency,
the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the Japanese Coast Guard, as well as
the large commercial operators servicing oil and gas platforms in the
North Sea, Bering Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
The EC225 was
designed from the outset with SAR missions in mind. The twin-engine
helicopter has an entirely redesigned five-blade rotor system and a
maximum takeoff weight of 11 metric tons. Its extremely low vibration
levels are unparalleled in the industry, and make it possible to fly
long missions without tiring out flight crews. Amongst its many
possible mission scenarios, the EC225 is capable of rescuing ten people
within a range of 300 NM.
Another outstanding feature of the EC225 is its automatic
pilot, which is the only one of its kind in the world. It includes
advanced modes specifically developed for SAR operations, and offers
extraordinary capabilities for maneuvering into hover flight positions
and maintaining them. It is so precise that it can hold the
helicopter's position above a ship at sea down to an accuracy of one
meter.
The EC225 is also the only helicopter in the world that
offers automatic engine failure controls, whether it be during takeoff,
cruise flight or hoisting operations. These features are crucial for
flight safety and allow flight crews to perform more effective
missions—even in the extreme operating conditions often confronted by
sea SAR teams.
About Eurocopter
Established
in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of
EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The
Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter
confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in
the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros,
orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the
civil and parapublic 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
centres. More than 10,000 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 click external link at bottom of page, or contact Eurocopter Southern Africa by clicking here
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| BENJAMIN MASSOT |
| Tuesday, 08 December 2009 |
| http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/ref/Press-Releases_310y2009.html |