Wed, Dec 23, 2009
Completes Contract Signed In 2006
The Swiss federal procurement, technology and real estate
competence center has handed over the last of 20 EC635 helicopters
to the Swiss Air Force. The company said Monday that delivery took
place December 17 at the Alpnach facility of RUAG Aerospace where
the Eurocopter-licensed final assembly line for the Swiss EC635s is
based.
File Photo
The contract for the LTSH program 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
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 suited for assistance during
catastrophes, for humanitarian missions, for medevac purposes and
to transport cargo, medical supplies and food, as the interior
equipment of the helicopter can be easily changed.
File Photo
Access to the cabin is through two lateral sliding doors or
through two large rear doors. Loading and unloading can be
performed safely due to the two rear doors and the enclosed
Fenestron tail rotor. The EC635 can carry out day- or night-time
missions including operations requiring night-vision goggles
(NVG).
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