More Powerful Engines, A Fenestron Tail Rotor, New Avionics And
Mission Capabilities Upgrades
The newest member of Eurocopter’s helicopter family was
formally launched Sunday with the unveiling of its EC145 T2 –
an evolved version of the popular twin-engine EC145 that
incorporates new Arriel 2E engines, along with the company’s
Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear
boxes, an innovative new digital avionics suite and a 4-axis
autopilot.
EC145 T2 Unveiling
The EC145 T2 was unveiled at the Heli-Expo 2011 exposition in
Orlando, Florida, where Eurocopter also announced launch agreements
for a total of 17 helicopters from four international customers,
who plan to utilize these rotary-wing aircraft in emergency medical
services (EMS), oil and gas operations and business aviation.
With deliveries to begin in 2013, the EC145 T2 will offer
significantly improved performance, increased flight safety,
enhanced human-machine interface, improved maintainability and
lower operating costs for the light-medium twin-engine helicopter.
It benefits from the heritage of Eurocopter’s EC145 and its
BK117 predecessor, which together have logged more than 2.8 million
flight hours in service around the world. “Our EC145 T2 is
the latest example of our company’s continued investment in
innovation, which provides helicopters that are more efficient to
own and operate, with higher performance and improved
safety,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz
Bertling.
The EC145 T2’s most visible change is the integration of
Eurocopter’s proven Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which
replaces the standard two-blade tail rotor. Advantages of the
Fenestron include significantly higher safety levels on the ground
and in flight, along with enhanced anti-torque control efficiency,
reduced power demand in forward flight, and lower sound and
vibration levels.
This Fenestron application expands Eurocopter’s use of the
shrouded tail rotor, which currently is on Eurocopter’s
EC120, EC130, EC135, AS365 Dauphin and EC155 helicopters. For the
EC145 T2, its Fenestron has new composite blades, a new-design tail
gear box with lower maintenance costs, and incorporates a duplex
tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. It is installed in
a new, damage-tolerant all-composite tail boom.
The EC145 T2’s new Arriel 2E turboshaft engines are
digitally controlled by dual Full Authority Digital Engine Controls
(FADEC), and provide increased performance throughout the
helicopter’s operational range. The average performance
increase is 25 percent, with significant enhancement in the OEI
(one engine inoperative) flight mode.
Other changes for the EC 145 T2 include a new modular avionics
suite that incorporates three large primary displays and a 4-axis
autopilot as standard equipment. It provides an innovative and
efficient human-machine interface for flight crews, improved
situational awareness and reduced pilot workload, while also
offering additional mission capabilities.
The EC145 T2 launch orders announced during the aircraft’s
Heli-Expo unveiling were led by Spain’s INAER, which signed
for 10 aircraft. Its initial helicopters will be in the EMS
configuration, with flexibility provided in follow-on deliveries
for other mission-specific versions of the rotary-wing aircraft
depending upon INAER’s operational requirements.
Additional launch customers for the EC145 T2 are three
U.S.-based operators. Metro Aviation for five aircraft in EMS
configuration; Leading Edge with one EC145 T2 for business aviation
and Lewis Energy for one helicopter to be flown in oil and gas
operations.
Eurocopter‘s EC145 T2 launch aircraft, showcased on the
company’s Heli-Expo 2011 booth, features the latest
configuration for emergency medical services missions, and
highlights the flexibility of the spacious cabin. The EMS interior
was completed by Metro Aviation, which is based in Shreveport,
Louisiana.