New Aircraft, Enhancements For Full Product Line Unveiled
Sunday
Eurocopter will unveil its newest helicopter, and launch a
comprehensive enhancement of the existing product line at Heli-Expo
2011 exposition in Orlando, Florida.
The new helicopter is to be revealed at Eurocopter’s
exhibit stand 1130 EST on the March 6 opening day of Heli-Expo
2011, during a ceremony led by Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz
Bertling. Agreements with multiple launch customers also will be
announced.
Enhancements for Eurocopter’s product line involve
multiple members of its helicopter family. All improvements
introduced on these rotary-wing aircraft – which carry the
“e” designation for “enhanced” – are
designed to significantly augment their cost-effectiveness, mission
capability and ease of operation. “Our continued commitment
to invest in innovation has enabled Eurocopter to launch the newest
member of our helicopter family while implementing in parallel
significant evolutions of Eurocopter’s inventory, which will
provide more capable products for customers and further improve our
and their competitiveness,” said Bertling.
Eurocopter AS350B
Featured on Eurocopter’s Heli-Expo 2011 exhibit stand is
one of these enhanced helicopters – the single-engine AS350
B3e, which is being shown in its corporate/VIP configuration. The
updated version of Eurocopter’s best-selling Ecureuil family
incorporates a more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine,
along with a new-generation digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital
Engine Control) and an engine data recorder for condition
monitoring.
The AS350 B3e features an improved interior design, as well as
tail rotor modifications for additional ease of piloting. It also
has the option of operating at the maximum takeoff engine power
rating for 30 minutes, and can be equipped with optional engine
filters for additional protection during flight in sand and snow
conditions without weight penalty. Certification of the AS350 B3e
is targeted for this summer, with deliveries beginning before
year-end.
Also spotlighted at Heli-Expo will be a full-scale mockup of
Eurocopter’s latest helicopter product – the EC175,
displayed in its configuration for oil and gas transportation
missions. Flight testing with two EC175 prototypes has surpassed
the 100-flight hour milestone, demonstrating the aircraft’s
excellent handling qualities and low internal vibration levels. The
initial production helicopter for this seven-metric-ton rotary-wing
aircraft – being developed in a joint program with the
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) – is currently
being assembled at Eurocopter’s facility in Marignane,
France. The first EC175 deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2012,
following type certification.
Eurocopter X3 Hybrid
Another element of Eurocopter’s Heli-Expo 2011 presence
will highlight achievements with the company’s innovative X3
hybrid helicopter demonstrator, which has attained a true airspeed
of 180 kt (333 km/hr) in level flight during its first phase of
testing. The second phase will begin in the coming months, with the
goal of achieving sustained cruise speeds in excess of 220 kt. The
X3 is a key element in Eurocopter’s innovation roadmap,
providing a system tailored to applications where operational
costs, flight duration and mission success depend directly on the
maximum cruising speed.