The Swiss federal procurement, technology and real estate competence centre, armasuisse,
handed over the last of 20 EC635 helicopters to the Swiss Air Force.
The delivery took place on December 17 at the Alpnach facility of RUAG
Aerospace where the Eurocopter-licensed final assembly line for the
Swiss EC635s is based. The Swiss Light Transport and Training
Helicopter (LTSH) programme is thus completed on time and on quality.
The
contract for the LTSH programme was signed in April 2006 and provided
for the delivery of a total of 18 EC635 transport and training
helicopters, plus two EC135s for the federal air transport service. The
EC635s/EC135s will be replacing the Swiss Air Force’s Alouette III
helicopters which will be taken out of service in 2010. By that time,
the introduction phase of the EC635 will be completed and the fleet
becomes fully operational.
The first four aircraft were
manufactured at the Eurocopter’s Donauwörth plant, while the final
assembly of the remaining 16 EC635s was performed by RUAG Aerospace in
Alpnach, Switzerland. RUAG Aerospace will also be responsible for
maintenance levels I and D and will support the Swiss Air Force’s fleet
of EC635s/135s throughout the entire life cycle.
The EC635, which was certified in 2001, is the military version
of the highly successful, light twin-engine EC135 chopper. It is among
the most versatile helicopters currently available on the market and is
designed for military and paramilitary deployments and public security
operations including search and rescue missions, troop transport,
observation, reconnaissance, training, and supply from the air. In
addition, the EC635 is ideally suited for assistance during
catastrophes, for humanitarian missions, for medevac purposes and to
transport cargo, medical supplies and food.
The interior
equipment of the helicopter can be easily changed. Users can select
different seat layouts, or install medical equipment. The spacious 4.6
cubic-meter cabin is obstacle-free. Access to the cabin is through two
lateral sliding doors or through two large rear doors – a feature that
no competitor offers. Loading and unloading can be performed under
totally safe conditions thanks to the two rear doors and the enclosed
Fenestron™ tail rotor.
The top qualities of the EC635 include
its outstanding effectiveness during operations, its ability to carry
out day- or night-time missions including operations requiring
night-vision goggles (NVG), and its high performance and modern
maintenance concept. The on-condition maintenance principle applies to
most of the main components, which maximizes availability for service.
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.
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