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The Airbus Helicopters H135, formerly Eurocopter EC135, is a twin-engine civil light utility helicopter produced by
"Eurocopter EC 135"
''Flying'', 18 May 2012.Benenson, Tom
"The EC135: Melding form & Function"
''Flying'', April 2004. Vol. 131, No. 4. pp. 86–91. Technologies included on the Bo 108 included the first full-authority digital engine controls (
In the late 1990s, the design was revised with the introduction of the '' Fenestron'' tail rotor system, an advanced rigid main rotor, composite materials, and resonance isolation systems. It was decided to pursue a full certification program, resulting in the production of two pre-production prototypes. At the same time, the Bo 108 was given a new designation of EC135, to correspond with the newly created Eurocopter company. At this point, it was decided that the EC135 should be developed with the option of being powered by two competing engines, the Turbomeca Arrius 2B and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines. Two pre-production prototypes were built in 1994 powered by either engine, both powerplants proved to be successful and were used on subsequent production aircraft.
In January 1995, the EC135 made its first public appearance at the Heli-Expo convention at
Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters SAS (formerly Eurocopter S.A., trading as Eurocopter Group) is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus. It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries, holding 48% of the wo ...
. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules
In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR).
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument Fl ...
(IFR) and is outfitted with a digital automatic flight control system (AFCS). First flying in February 1994, it entered service in 1996. 1,400 have been delivered up to September 2020, to 300 operators in 60 countries, accumulating over 5 million flight hours. It is mainly used for air medical transport (medevac
Medical evacuation, often shortened to medevac or medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to patients requiring evacuation or transport using medically equipped air ambulances, helicopters an ...
), corporate transport, law enforcement, offshore wind support, and military flight training. Half of them are in Europe and a quarter in North America. The H135M, certified under the name Eurocopter EC635, is a military variant, so the overall design is known as the Airbus Helicopters H135 and the military version, as the Airbus Helicopters H135M. The EC135/H135 is a development of the earlier Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) Bo 105.
Development
Origins
The H135 started development prior to the formation of Eurocopter, under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) under the designation Bo 108 in the 1970s. MBB developed it in partnership withAérospatiale
Aérospatiale () was a major French state-owned aerospace manufacturer, aerospace and arms industry, defence corporation. It was founded in 1970 as () through the merger of three established state-owned companies: Sud Aviation, Nord Aviation ...
, the Bo 108 was initially intended to be a technology demonstrator, combining attributes of the successful MBB Bo 105 with new advances and an aerodynamically streamlined design.Pope, Stephen"Eurocopter EC 135"
''Flying'', 18 May 2012.Benenson, Tom
"The EC135: Melding form & Function"
''Flying'', April 2004. Vol. 131, No. 4. pp. 86–91. Technologies included on the Bo 108 included the first full-authority digital engine controls (
FADEC
A full authority digital engine (or electronics) control (FADEC) is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an "electronic engine controller" (EEC) or " engine control unit" (ECU), and its related accessories that control all aspects of a ...
) on a helicopter, a hingeless main rotor, and the adoption of a new transmission. The first prototype made its first flight on 17 October 1988, powered by two Allison 250-C20R/1 engines. A second Bo 108 followed in June 1991, this time with two Turbomeca TM319-1B Arrius engines. Unlike later production aircraft, both technology demonstrators flew with conventional tail rotors.
In the late 1990s, the design was revised with the introduction of the '' Fenestron'' tail rotor system, an advanced rigid main rotor, composite materials, and resonance isolation systems. It was decided to pursue a full certification program, resulting in the production of two pre-production prototypes. At the same time, the Bo 108 was given a new designation of EC135, to correspond with the newly created Eurocopter company. At this point, it was decided that the EC135 should be developed with the option of being powered by two competing engines, the Turbomeca Arrius 2B and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines. Two pre-production prototypes were built in 1994 powered by either engine, both powerplants proved to be successful and were used on subsequent production aircraft.
In January 1995, the EC135 made its first public appearance at the Heli-Expo convention at Las Vegas
Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...
, at which prospective buyers were reportedly impressed with its appearance and performance figures. Another feature which became apparent upon entering service was the low noise levels produced, in part due to its Fenestron tail, the EC135 was the quietest aircraft in its class for more than 15 years. Despite the helicopter's design being primarily oriented towards emergency medical operators, the EC135 had considerable appeal to a wide range of operators. European JAA certification was achieved in June 1996, with FAA approval following in July.
In December 1999, the EC135 was granted single-pilot IFR (SPIFR) certification by Germany's Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
The ''Luftfahrt-Bundesamt'' (LBA, "Federal Aviation Office") is the national civil aviation authority of Germany headquartered in Braunschweig.Civil Aviation Authority also gave the EC135 SPIFR certification.
"Helicopters give latest technologies a whirl"
''The Engineer'', 12 December 2014. In December 2020, the H135 helicopter family EASA has certified a new Alternate Gross Weight (AGW). With the new AGW, the maximum takeoff weight has been increased up to 265 lb (120 kg) and payload. This modification can be used to increase range by up to 75 nm or endurance by up to 40 minutes under standard conditions. The new AGW is available as an option and can be applied retroactively to all Helionix-equipped H135s. In December 2020, Airbus certified a new single-pilot IFR Helionix cockpit for its H135 helicopters. The modified cockpit allows customers to choose whether to remove the copilot side of the instrument panel to increase the field of view or keep it to install specific STC equipment.
The H135 is a twin-engine rotorcraft. It can be alternatively powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2B or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines, dependent on customer's preference, which gives either a T or a P, respectively, in the variant name. The main rotor is of a four-bladed, hingeless fiber-composite design. Progressive improvements to the main rotor have increased its performance and reduced maintenance costs since the type's introduction. The EC135 is the quietest helicopter in its class, featuring an anti-
''Airbus Helicopters'', Retrieved: 16 November 2015. The EC135 can be equipped with either a conventional flight deck or the Avionique Novelle
Various cabin and cockpit configurations are available for the EC135, depending on the role performed and the operator's preferences. It can hold up to five passengers and a pilot when configured with a standard executive interior, or seven passengers in a dense corporate interior. Modular multi-role interiors that allow the main cabin area to be quickly changed and re-equipped are available.Benenson 2004. pp. 89–90. The main cabin of the EC135 is accessed either by large doors on either side of the cabin or by clamshell doors located at the rear of the cabin, directly underneath the aircraft's tail boom. The clamshell doors are particularly attractive to emergency medical services (EMS) and cargo operators.Benenson 2004. pp. 89, 91.
Medical facilities can be installed in the cabin, such as in-flight intensive care stations (including
Deliveries started in August 1996, when two helicopters, 0005 and 0006, were handed over to German emergency aero medical service provider Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht. The 100th EC135 was handed over to the Bavarian police force in June 1999, by which point the worldwide fleet had accumulated approximately 30,000 flight hours. In September 2003, the 300th EC135 was handed over to UK-based McAlpine Helicopters. At this point, the EC135 was the best selling new light twin-engine helicopter in the UK market.Benenson 2004. p. 90.
In 2011, Eurocopter announced that the 1,000th EC135 to be produced had been delivered to German operator 
In 2013, it was reported that the EC135 was currently providing roughly 25% of the world's total emergency medic services flights, and that over 500 EC135s have been delivered to in an aeromedical configuration. By late 2013, during which a brief grounding of the type was instigated due to safety concerns of fuel gauges, the EC135 made up half of the UK's operational air ambulance fleet. In October 2014, the first EC135 air ambulance was delivered in the Chinese market.
The German Army operates 19 H135s as basic trainers at the School of Army Aviation in Bückeburg. These have had an average operational availability in excess of 95 per cent. In 2014, the German Army noted that there was potential for vibration-induced rotor cracking during autorotation training, shortening the life of the main rotor. 13 EC135 trainers have been procured by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, they have been designed as the TH-135.
In December 2014, the first production EC135 T3 entered service with Aiut Alpin Dolomites, a mountain rescue operator based in Italy. In June 2015, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first retrofitted H135 from the earlier EC135 standard. Changes include an enlarged main rotor, relocated engine air intakes, elevated engine performance, and the horizontal stabiliser's endplates removed and its span increased.
In October 2015, Waypoint Leasing and Airbus Helicopters signed an agreement for the acquisition of up to 20 H135 for public leasing purposes.
In 2017, the
;EC135 P1 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B (ratings correspond to take-off power (TOP)). Later versions have the centre panel display system (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (M.T.O.W.) of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
;EC135 T1 :Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp)(TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial M.T.O.W. of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
;EC135 P2 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) (TOP rating) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.
;EC135 T2 :Powered by two 452 kW (606 shp) (TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.
;EC135 P2+ (Marketing name EC135 P2i):Latest current production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a
''Vertical'', 5 December 2014. ;ACH135 : Corporate variant of the H135. ;VH-35 :
In 2016, half of the EC135s operating in service were engaged in
Flightglobal.com, Accessed 23 November 2014 *
File:2025-03-17 134741 D7D 0008c I w248.jpg, Monday_17-March-2025 in Kentucky 2005 Eurocopter EC135-P2 N309PH (twin-turboshaft) Engines=Twin 431 hp Pratt & Whitney PW206B
Further development
In 2000, Eurocopter announced the start of certification work on the EC135P2, powered by thePratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC or P&WC) is a Canada-based aircraft engine manufacturer. PWC's headquarters are in Longueuil, Quebec, south of Montreal. It is a division of the larger US-based Pratt & Whitney (P&W), itself a business unit of RTX ...
PW206B2, offering improved single-engine performance and 30-second emergency power. The LBA certification was achieved in July 2001, and the first EC135 with the new engines was handed over to the Swedish Police Authority
The Swedish Police Authority () is the national police, police force (''Polisen'') of Sweden. The first modern police force in Sweden was established in the mid-19th century, and the police remained in effect under Municipalities of Sweden, local ...
in August 2001.Benenson 2004. p. 89. In September 2002, the EC135T2 equipped with the improved Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 was made available, providing for improved single-engine performance.
In 2002, the EC135 active control technology demonstrator/flying helicopter simulator (ACT/FHS), a research aircraft designed to test fibre optic-based flight control systems, undertook its first flight. In 2014, Airbus Helicopters began flying the Bluecopter demonstrator aircraft, built to explore more efficient design elements, including economy-optimised single-engine operations, Blue Edge swept rotor blades to reduce noise and increase efficiency, a relocated horizontal stabilizer outside the main rotor's downwash, an active rudder, and new water-based external paint; these changes were aimed at cutting fuel consumption by 40%. In December 2014, the single-engine operations portion of the Bluecopter tests were delayed to summer 2016 to make necessary avionics changes, such as to the engine's FADEC
A full authority digital engine (or electronics) control (FADEC) is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an "electronic engine controller" (EEC) or " engine control unit" (ECU), and its related accessories that control all aspects of a ...
systems.
In March 2007, at the NBAA in Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
, Eurocopter unveiled L'Hélicoptère par Hermès'', a special-edition VIP model designed by Hermès International, S.A. It features a customized luxury four-place main cabin, a sliding glass partition, a corporate baggage hold, redesigned skid landing gear and other external changes. The launch customer for the type is Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), based in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
, United Arab Emirates. In July 2014, Airbus Helicopters made further personalization options available for the EC135 l'Helicoptere par Hermes.
In 2011, Eurocopter formalised a license manufacturing agreement with Zhong-Ou International Group to produce the EC135 luxury helicopter in Zhejiang
)
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, translit_lang1_info2 = ( Hangzhounese) ( Ningbonese) (Wenzhounese)
, image_skyline = 玉甑峰全貌 - panoramio.jpg
, image_caption = View of the Yandang Mountains
, image_map = Zhejiang i ...
Province, China. In October 2015, a letter of intent between Airbus Helicopters and Ecopark was signed for the establishment of a final assembly line (FAL) in Qingdao
Qingdao, Mandarin: , (Qingdao Mandarin: t͡ɕʰiŋ˧˩ tɒ˥) is a prefecture-level city in the eastern Shandong Province of China. Located on China's Yellow Sea coast, Qingdao was long an important fortress. In 1897, the city was ceded to G ...
Province, China. A related $1.1 billion order for 100 Chinese-assembled H135s was announced in the same month. The majority of assembly work on the type remains at Airbus Helicopter's Donauwörth facility. Construction of the FAL started in May 2017, and opened for production in April 2019.
In January 2016, the Ural Works of Civil Aviation (UWCA), a division of Rostec, signed an agreement to build the H135 under licence at the firm's facility in Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg (, ; ), alternatively Romanization of Russian, romanized as Ekaterinburg and formerly known as Sverdlovsk ( ; 1924–1991), is a city and the administrative centre of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the Ural Federal District, Russia. The ci ...
, Russia. In May 2016, it was reported that Russian production of the H135 was anticipated to begin in 2017, following the receipt of Russian type certification. Russian manufacturers may be incorporated in the global supply chain.
Two variants, the EC135 T3 and EC135 P3, were developed with improved high altitude and hover performance. Changes include repositioned air intakes to the engines, wider blades being installed on the main rotor, and changes to the fenstron anti-torque tail device. The EC135 T3 was introduced to service in December 2014.Nathan, Stuart"Helicopters give latest technologies a whirl"
''The Engineer'', 12 December 2014. In December 2020, the H135 helicopter family EASA has certified a new Alternate Gross Weight (AGW). With the new AGW, the maximum takeoff weight has been increased up to 265 lb (120 kg) and payload. This modification can be used to increase range by up to 75 nm or endurance by up to 40 minutes under standard conditions. The new AGW is available as an option and can be applied retroactively to all Helionix-equipped H135s. In December 2020, Airbus certified a new single-pilot IFR Helionix cockpit for its H135 helicopters. The modified cockpit allows customers to choose whether to remove the copilot side of the instrument panel to increase the field of view or keep it to install specific STC equipment.
Design
The H135 is a twin-engine rotorcraft. It can be alternatively powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2B or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines, dependent on customer's preference, which gives either a T or a P, respectively, in the variant name. The main rotor is of a four-bladed, hingeless fiber-composite design. Progressive improvements to the main rotor have increased its performance and reduced maintenance costs since the type's introduction. The EC135 is the quietest helicopter in its class, featuring an anti-resonance
Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when an object or system is subjected to an external force or vibration whose frequency matches a resonant frequency (or resonance frequency) of the system, defined as a frequency that generates a maximu ...
isolation system to dampen vibration from the main rotor. The type's Fenestron anti-torque device can be actively regulated via a HI NR rotor optimization mode, which provides for greater controllability during higher weight take-off and landings. It is capable of performing Category A operations throughout its full flight envelope."Civil: H135"''Airbus Helicopters'', Retrieved: 16 November 2015. The EC135 can be equipped with either a conventional flight deck or the Avionique Novelle
glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features an array of electronic (digital) flight instrument display device, displays, typically large liquid-crystal display, LCD screens, rather than traditional Analog device, analog dials and gauges ...
– the latter allows for single pilot instrument flight rules
In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR).
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument Fl ...
operation. The glass cockpit is equipped with several liquid-crystal display
A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other Electro-optic modulator, electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers to display information. Liq ...
s, including two Sextant SMD45 displays and a central panel display. The main avionics suite is supplied by Thales Group
Thales S.A., Trade name, trading as Thales Group (), is a French multinational corporation, multinational aerospace and defence industry, defence corporation specializing in electronics. It designs, develops and manufactures a wide variety of aer ...
. The EC135 can be outfitted with various avionics suites from manufacturers such as Russian firm Transas Aviation and British firm Britannia 2000.
The newer H135 model can be equipped with a four-axis autopilot, which is included as part of the Helionix avionics suite. This suite provides the H135 with a greater level of commonality with several other Airbus Helicopters-produced rotorcraft, including the H145, H160 and H175. Earlier versions of the EC135 were equipped with a three-axis autopilot with integrated stability augmentation, featuring a First Limit Indicator (FLI), simplifying engine and torque monitoring. Cockpit touch screen
A touchscreen (or touch screen) is a type of electronic visual display, display that can detect touch input from a user. It consists of both an input device (a touch panel) and an output device (a visual display). The touch panel is typically l ...
s can be optionally installed.
Various cabin and cockpit configurations are available for the EC135, depending on the role performed and the operator's preferences. It can hold up to five passengers and a pilot when configured with a standard executive interior, or seven passengers in a dense corporate interior. Modular multi-role interiors that allow the main cabin area to be quickly changed and re-equipped are available.Benenson 2004. pp. 89–90. The main cabin of the EC135 is accessed either by large doors on either side of the cabin or by clamshell doors located at the rear of the cabin, directly underneath the aircraft's tail boom. The clamshell doors are particularly attractive to emergency medical services (EMS) and cargo operators.Benenson 2004. pp. 89, 91.
Medical facilities can be installed in the cabin, such as in-flight intensive care stations (including resuscitation
Resuscitation is the process of correcting physiological disorders (such as lack of breathing or heartbeat) in an Acute (medicine), acutely ill patient. It is an important part of intensive care medicine, anesthesiology, trauma surgery and emerg ...
functionality), incubators, and hygiene-convenient flooring. In a mountain rescue configuration, the cabin can simultaneously accommodate two stretchers as well as the pilot, anaesthetist, winch operator, mechanic and mountain rescue specialist.
Airbus Helicopters has promoted the airframe's various configurations as possessing "unique adaptability" for various missions, including utility work, commercial transportation, and training roles. Equipment for the law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of the government or other social institutions who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by investigating, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms gove ...
role include external loudspeaker
A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or, more fully, a speaker system) is a combination of one or more speaker drivers, an enclosure, and electrical connections (possibly including a crossover network). The speaker driver is an ...
s, rappelling system, search lights with laser pointer
A laser pointer or laser pen is a (typically battery-powered) handheld device that uses a laser diode to emit a narrow low-power visible laser beam (i.e. Coherence (physics), coherent light) to highlight something of interest with a small brigh ...
s, left or right-mounted hoists, and electro-optical sensors. For offshore oil & gas operations, the rotorcraft can be fitted with weather/search radars, emergency floatation aids, including an automated external life raft, energy-absorbent seating, class-D certified external hoists, and crash-resistant fuel tanks. An external hook can be installed to carry underslung loads of up to 272 kg for cargo missions. In a training capacity, features such a light aircraft recording system for post-flight analysis, intuitive human-machine interface, specific training modules, and a one-engine inoperative training mode, and full ground simulators, may be selected.
Operational history
Deliveries started in August 1996, when two helicopters, 0005 and 0006, were handed over to German emergency aero medical service provider Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht. The 100th EC135 was handed over to the Bavarian police force in June 1999, by which point the worldwide fleet had accumulated approximately 30,000 flight hours. In September 2003, the 300th EC135 was handed over to UK-based McAlpine Helicopters. At this point, the EC135 was the best selling new light twin-engine helicopter in the UK market.Benenson 2004. p. 90.
In 2011, Eurocopter announced that the 1,000th EC135 to be produced had been delivered to German operator ADAC
The ADAC, officially the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (), is Europe's largest automobile association. The ADAC is the largest wikt:Verein, ''verein'' (club) in Germany, with around 21 million members. Its headquarters are located i ...
, roughly 15 years since the start of production. In 2012, '' Flying'' magazine recognised the EC135 as being "the industry's best selling twin-engine helicopter". The world fleet leader in flight hours for the type is G-NESV (s/n 0067), operated by Cleveland Police Air Operations Unit based at Durham Tees Valley Airport
Teesside International Airport , formerly Durham Tees Valley Airport, is a small international airport in the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England. It primarily serves Teesside (including Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees), south and ...
, UK. Originally delivered to the North East Air Support Unit in April 1999, it was the first EC135 worldwide to attain 10,000 flying hours.
In 2009, the EC135 was the first aircraft selected for offshore wind support in the UK, after the Civil Aviation Authority approved helicopter operations to the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm. The EC135 has been used in Denmark to support the Horns Rev offshore wind farm. By 2013, over 10,000 successful personnel transfers have taken place using the type. In Mexico, Apoyo Logístico Aéreo has operated a fleet of EC135s for servicing the extensive oil and gas offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico () is an oceanic basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States; on the southw ...
.
In 2013, it was reported that the EC135 was currently providing roughly 25% of the world's total emergency medic services flights, and that over 500 EC135s have been delivered to in an aeromedical configuration. By late 2013, during which a brief grounding of the type was instigated due to safety concerns of fuel gauges, the EC135 made up half of the UK's operational air ambulance fleet. In October 2014, the first EC135 air ambulance was delivered in the Chinese market.
The German Army operates 19 H135s as basic trainers at the School of Army Aviation in Bückeburg. These have had an average operational availability in excess of 95 per cent. In 2014, the German Army noted that there was potential for vibration-induced rotor cracking during autorotation training, shortening the life of the main rotor. 13 EC135 trainers have been procured by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, they have been designed as the TH-135.
In December 2014, the first production EC135 T3 entered service with Aiut Alpin Dolomites, a mountain rescue operator based in Italy. In June 2015, Airbus Helicopters delivered the first retrofitted H135 from the earlier EC135 standard. Changes include an enlarged main rotor, relocated engine air intakes, elevated engine performance, and the horizontal stabiliser's endplates removed and its span increased.
In October 2015, Waypoint Leasing and Airbus Helicopters signed an agreement for the acquisition of up to 20 H135 for public leasing purposes.
In 2017, the Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
received the first 2 of 29 H135s designated as Juno HT.1s for the UK Military Flying Training System with training provided by Ascent Flight Training.
In 2018, the Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the Armed forces, military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. It consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and the Royal Aus ...
established the Joint Helicopter School operating 15 EC135T2+ procured under Project Air 9000 Phase 7 to train both Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army ...
and Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the navy, naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Navy (CN) Vice admiral (Australia), Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (admiral), Ma ...
pilots. The school is set within Navy's 723 Squadron at HMAS Albatross. In 2024, after the retirement of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, the Australian government announced that it would lease 5 H135T3 (Juno) from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence
A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...
for five years to maintain "essential training requirements" for Australian Army pilots. The helicopters will be based at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.
Variants
;EC135 P1 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B (ratings correspond to take-off power (TOP)). Later versions have the centre panel display system (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (M.T.O.W.) of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
;EC135 T1 :Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp)(TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial M.T.O.W. of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
;EC135 P2 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) (TOP rating) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.
;EC135 T2 :Powered by two 452 kW (606 shp) (TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.
;EC135 P2+ (Marketing name EC135 P2i):Latest current production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a FADEC
A full authority digital engine (or electronics) control (FADEC) is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an "electronic engine controller" (EEC) or " engine control unit" (ECU), and its related accessories that control all aspects of a ...
software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component time between overhauls (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain.
;EC135 T2+ (Marketing name EC135 T2i):Latest current production version with 473 kW (634 shp) Arrius 2B2 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component TBOs, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain.
;EC135 P2+ (Marketing name EC135 P2e):Marketing designation of aircraft with increased M.T.O.W. of 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs) within restricted flight envelope.
;EC135 T2+ (Marketing name EC135 T2e) :Marketing designation of aircraft with increased M.T.O.W. of 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs) within restricted flight envelope.
;EC135 P3 :Powered by two 528 kW (708 shp) (TOP rating) PW206B3 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,980 kg (6,570 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, and significant increased OEI, Cat A, and hot/high performance. Market introduction in 2014.Dubois, Thierry. "Deliveries of Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3/P3 Delayed." ''AIN Online'', 25 February 2014.
;H135 (EC135 T3):Powered by two 492 kW (660 shp) (TOP rating) Arrius 2B2Plus engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,980 kg (6,570 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, and significant increased OEI, Cat A, and hot/high performance. Market introduction in 2014.
; EC635/H135M: Military variant originally developed to meet a Portuguese Army
The Portuguese Army () is the land component of the Portuguese Armed Forces, Armed Forces of Portugal and is also its largest branch. It is charged with the defence of Portugal, in co-operation with other branches of the Armed Forces. With its ...
requirement for a fire support and medical evacuation helicopter. Presently, operated by Jordan
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian ter ...
, Swiss
Swiss most commonly refers to:
* the adjectival form of Switzerland
* Swiss people
Swiss may also refer to: Places
* Swiss, Missouri
* Swiss, North Carolina
* Swiss, West Virginia
* Swiss, Wisconsin
Other uses
* Swiss Café, an old café located ...
and Iraqi armed forces.
;TH-135 : Military training variant developed from the EC135 T2+."Japan military receives TH-135 trio from Airbus Helicopters"''Vertical'', 5 December 2014. ;ACH135 : Corporate variant of the H135. ;VH-35 :
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force (, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Brazilian Brazilian Army Aviation (1919–1941), Army and Brazilian Naval Aviation, Nav ...
designation for a VIP transport variant of the EC135.
;H.13 : () Royal Thai Armed Forces
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF; ; ) are the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Highest Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (จอมทัพไทย; ) is the King of Thailand. The armed forces are managed by the Minist ...
designation for the H135.
Operators
In 2016, half of the EC135s operating in service were engaged in emergency medical services
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services, pre-hospital care or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illness and injuries and transport to d ...
operations, 17% in air transport, 16% in public services (typically law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of the government or other social institutions who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by investigating, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms gove ...
), 10% in military missions, 4% in offshore operations (typically offshore wind power inspection), and the remaining 3% in military training.
The 1,400th was delivered in September 2020, as over 300 customers in 60 countries accumulated more than 4.5 million flight hours.
Most are in Europe (641), followed by North America (316) and Asia (195).
Military operators
; *Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the navy, naval branch of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Navy (CN) Vice admiral (Australia), Vice Admiral Mark Hammond (admiral), Ma ...
- 15 EC135T2+
* Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army ...
- 5 EC135 T3 to be leased from the UK Ministry of Defence
A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...
;
*Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force (, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Brazilian Brazilian Army Aviation (1919–1941), Army and Brazilian Naval Aviation, Nav ...
World Air Force 2014 – Flight InternationalFlightglobal.com, Accessed 23 November 2014 *
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy () is the navy, naval service branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces, responsible for conducting naval warfare, naval operations.
The navy was involved in War of Independence of Brazil#Naval action, Brazil's war of independence ...
- 3 EC135 T3 ordered to replace AS355F2.
;
* Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...
- 19 helicopters are to be acquired for pilot training. The helicopters are to be built at Airbus Helicopters' facility in Fort Erie, Canada with deliveries starting 2026.
;
* Gabonese Air Force
;
*German Army
The German Army (, 'army') is the land component of the armed forces of Federal Republic of Germany, Germany. The present-day German Army was founded in 1955 as part of the newly formed West German together with the German Navy, ''Marine'' (G ...
;
* Iraqi Army Aviation Command - 20
;
* Irish Air Corps
;
* Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
;
*Royal Moroccan Air Force
The Royal Moroccan Air Force (; ; ) is the air force of the Moroccan Armed Forces.
History
The Moroccan air force was formed on 14 May 1956 as the Sherifian Royal Aviation ().
Its modern installations and bases were inherited from France (Bass ...
- H135s ordered for training duties in 2022.
* Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
;
* Nigerian Air Force
;
* Spanish Army Airmobile Force
;
*Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
/ Ascent Flight Training - No. 1 Flying Training School
Government operators
; *Argentine Federal Police
The Argentine Federal Police ( or PFA) is the national civil police force of the Argentine federal government. The PFA has detachments throughout the country. Until January 1, 2017, it also acted as the local law enforcement agency in the cap ...
* Argentine National Gendarmerie
;
*Queensland Police Service
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is the principal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the Australian state of Queensland. In 1990, the Queensland Police Force was officially renamed the Queensland Police Service and the old motto ...
contracted through Surf Life Saving Queensland Aviation
*Surf Life Saving Queensland Aviation
*Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of the Australian States and territories of Australia, state of Victoria (Australia), Victoria. It was formed in 1853 and currently operates under the ''Victoria Police Act 2013''.
, Victor ...
(former)
;
*Federal Police
A law enforcement agency (LEA) is any government agency responsible for law enforcement within a specific jurisdiction through the employment and deployment of law enforcement officers and their resources. The most common type of law enforcement ...
;
* Durham Regional Police - 1 helicopter purchased in 2024https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-police-helicopters-1.7278584
* Halton Regional Police - 1 helicopter purchased in 2024
* Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is the State police, provincial police service of Ontario, Canada. The OPP patrols Provincial highways in Ontario, provincial highways and waterways; protects Government of Ontario, provincial government buil ...
- 3 helicopters purchased in 2024 for use in the Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the Toronto, City of Toronto and the regional municipality, regional municipalities of Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham, Regional Municipality of Halton, Halton, Regional ...
, Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
, and Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is a city in and the seat of Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. It is the most populous municipality in Northwestern Ontario and the second most populous (after Greater Sudbury) municipality in Northern Ontario. Its population i ...
., plus an additional 2 helicopters previously purchased in 2011.
* Peel Regional Police - 1 helicopter purchased in 2024
;
* Carabineros de Chile
;
* Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department
;
* Croatian Police
;
* State Police
State police, provincial police or regional police are a type of sub-national territorial police force found in nations organized as federations, typically in North America, South Asia, and Oceania. These forces typically have jurisdiction o ...
;
*Federal Police
A law enforcement agency (LEA) is any government agency responsible for law enforcement within a specific jurisdiction through the employment and deployment of law enforcement officers and their resources. The most common type of law enforcement ...
*State Police
State police, provincial police or regional police are a type of sub-national territorial police force found in nations organized as federations, typically in North America, South Asia, and Oceania. These forces typically have jurisdiction o ...
;
* HSE National Ambulance Service
;
* Garda Air Support Unit
;
* Japanese National Police
;
* State Border Guard
;
* Dutch National Police
* ANWB Medical Air Assistance
;
* Norwegian Police Service - The EC135 was used til it was replaced by AW169 in 2019.
;
* Air ambulances in Poland
* Border Guard (Poland)
;
* Romanian Police
* SMURD
;
* Slovenian National Police
;
* Civil Guard
* National Police Corps
;
*Northern Lighthouse Board
The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) is the general lighthouse authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is a non-departmental public body responsible for ocean, marine navigation aids around coastal areas.
History
The NLB was formed by ...
* National Police Air Service (England & Wales)
* Police Scotland
*Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI; ; Ulster-Scots: '), is the police service responsible for law enforcement and the prevention of crime within Northern Ireland.
It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) after it ...
* Trinity House
;
* Ministry of Health (Turkey) (operated by Turkish Aeronautical Association)
;
* Broward County Sheriff
*Massachusetts State Police
The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, responsible for law enforcement and vehicle regulation across the state. As of 2024, it has 2,500 sworn troop ...
*NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
**Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC, originally known as the NASA Launch Operations Center), located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of the NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) ten NASA facilities#List of field c ...
Accidents and incidents
*On 29 November 2013, a Police Scotland EC135 T2 crashed into a pub inGlasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
, Scotland. Three occupants of the aircraft were killed, as well as seven patrons of the pub. The UK AAIB issued its final report on the accident on 23 October 2015. It said that "No significant pre-impact technical defect was identified in any part of the aircraft or its systems." It added that important fuel transfer pumps were switched off "for unknown reasons", and that the helicopter "did not land within the 10-minute period specified in the Pilot's Checklist Emergency and Malfunction Procedures, following continuous activation of the low fuel warnings, for unknown reasons."
*On 28 August 2023, a Broward Sheriff's Office EC135 crashed into a residential building, after witnesses stated it started smoking heavily while in flight before spinning and rapidly losing altitude. A Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Captain, and a resident of the structure that the helicopter crashed into, were both killed in the crash. Two other employees, and a second resident survived.
Specifications (EC135 P2+/T2+)
Gallery
See also
References
External links
* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Airbus H135 Airbus Helicopters aircraft 1990s German civil utility aircraft 1990s German helicopters Fantail helicopters Twin-turbine helicopters Aircraft first flown in 1994