The EC225/EC725, latest Member of the Super Puma/Cougar Family, offers Cost-Effective Medium Lift Capability

Eurocopter is displaying an EC725 in the Static Display (No. OE17) at this year’s Farnborough Air Show. Like no other helicopter in its class, the EC725 and its civil variant, the EC225, fuses military capabilities with commercial standards. The EC725 has entered service with the French Army and Air Force, while the EC225 has captured renowned customers in offshore oil and gas operations both in Europe and the United States, in governmental VIP flying services in Japan and Algeria, and in SAR as well as offshore operations in China.

Eurocopter and a key UK operator are proposing the EC225 to the British Ministry of Defence on a COMR (Commercially Owned, Military Registered) basis as an interim solution to bridge the UK’s capability gap in the medium lift sector. This lease offer would provide the British Armed Forces with new, high-performance, state-of-the-art helicopters of the latest generation instead of upgrading and/or maintaining older-generation helicopters presently in service. Medium lift transport is one of the MOD’s highest priorities in view of the British Armed Forces’ out-of-area engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. The EC225, with a finance scheme that would not burden the MoD’s equipment budget, would seek to replace the existing Puma – and possibly Sea King Mk 4 – fleets. Eurocopter has extensive expertise in privately financed programmes, one example being the British Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS), founded in 1997 and operating AS350 Squirrel helicopters owned by FB Helicopters. Another example is Eurocopter’s joint venture (with Thales, Rheinmetall Defence and CAE) HFTS Helicopter Flight Training Services, which provides industry-financed NH90 simulator training centres already booked by the German and Swedish armed forces.

The EC225 is also a strong contender for the forthcoming SAR-H programme which was recently launched by the MoD/MCA (Maritime Coast Guard Agency) organisation, with a similar finance scheme to the medium lift requirement.

The EC225/725 is the latest member of Eurocopter’s twin-engine, mid-range Super Puma helicopter-family (11 metric ton class). This gives the EC225/725 a superb heritage, with Super Puma family helicopters in V-VIP service in more than 50 countries, including the German and Spanish heads of state. The EC225/725 prototype aircraft performed its first flight in November 2000 and its mission-focus lies on passenger transport – in particular for offshore and VIP, but also for public service missions such as Search and Rescue (SAR). It has an initial take-off weight of 10.4 metric tons and significantly increased performance capabilities such as a new main rotor system, a reinforced main gearbox, and an integrated display and piloting system. Deliveries commenced in 2004.

The EC225/725 will benefits from a Spheriflex main rotor head, which has already proven its effectiveness on the Super Puma L2 and the EC155 with reduced operating and maintenance costs. The tail rotor head is also made from Spheriflex technology. The main rotor has five blades with an advanced airfoil section. The five-blade configuration means that the vibration levels on the aircraft are extremely low.

In addition, the EC225/725 draws on unequalled experience, latest-technology and all-weather flying capabilities including the most severe icing conditions. The rotors and the horizontal stabilizer can be equipped with a deicing/anti-icing system that makes it possible to fly even in extreme icing conditions.

The main gearbox of the EC225/725 has been reinforced in order to cope with the aircraft's increased turbine power and gross weight. The casing and gears have been manufactured using ultramodern processes, which insure that these elements are extremely reliable. The lubrication circuit includes a back-up spraying system that complies with the JAR 29 requirements concerning a 30 minute dry-run capability.

The EC225/725 is equipped with two Turbomeca Makila 2A turbine engines. Special features to be noted on this new engine include a new air-flow concept and new materials. It generates 1800 kW (2448 SHP in contingency mode, 14% more than the previous version. Each engine is a self-contained assembly with all the necessary systems, equipment, and accessories for its operations. The fact that the engines are modular makes maintenance and inspection much easier. The FADEC digital engine control with dual duplex channels insures the highest level of reliability.

The EC225/725 is equipped with a new avionics known as the Advanced Helicopter Cockpit and Avionics System, featuring new flight, navigation and mission displays, Vehicle Management System monitoring the aircraft parameters Autopilot (APM 2000) , the digital 4 axis autopilot already installed on EC155 with a comprehensive suite of upper and SAR modes and Stand By Instruments. It reduces the flight crew's piloting workload significantly: with this integrated system, the pilot and copilot can concentrate on external mission features instead of on the aircraft's functioning

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. 13,000 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 new helicopters, and a 52 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 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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