Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota
The Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota is the U.S. Army’s new multi-mission Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The UH-72A is a twin-engine helicopter with a single, four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145 and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. Selected in June 2006 following a rigorous evaluation, it combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all of the Army’s requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance.
Developing nation: USA.
Manufacturer/designer: American Eurocopter .
Production Lines: Columbus, Mississippi
Type aircraft: multi-mission Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).
First flight: 12 June 1999 EC145.
First delivery: December 11, 2006
State: in service.
Developed from: Eurocopter EC145
Eurocopter was awarded a production contract for 345 Lakota Armed Scout’s to replace ageing UH-1H Huey and the OH-58A/C Kiowa Warrior’s. Delivery of the planned 345 aircraft is expected to continue until 2017. The first Lakotas were delivered to the U.S. Army on December 11, 2006 and the first operational unit was equipped within 11 months of the contract award, making the UH-72 one of the most rapid aircraft introductions in the history of the Army.
Armed Aerial Scout
The Armed Scout 645 (EC645) is a proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout OH-58D replacement program being offered by EADS and Lockheed Martin. The companies announced a teaming agreement for the Armed Scout 645 on 4 May 2009. Three flight demonstrator aircraft named AAS-72X were built in 2010. They began flight testing in late 2010.
Variants
- UH-72A Lakota An unarmed utility military version of the EC 145.
- AAS-72XA proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout OH-58D replacement program being offered by EADS and Lockheed Martin.
- AAS-72X+ An armed military version of the Eurocopter EC145 also proposed for the Armed Aerial Scout program. Also, it is equipped with more powerful engines with an extra 200 horsepower each, and a fully digital glass cockpit.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Capacity: 8 troops or 2 stretchers and medical crew
- Length: 13.03 m (42 ft 7 in)
- Rotor diameter: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.45 m (11 ft 9 in)
- Disc area: 94.98 m² (1,023 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1,792 kg (3,950 lb)
- Useful load: 1,793 kg (3,953 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 3,585 kg (7,903 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshafts, 738 shp (551 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 269 km/h (145 knots, 167 mph)
- Cruise speed: 246 km/h (133 knots, 153 mph)
- Range: 685 km (370 nmi, 426 mi)
- Service ceiling: 5,791 m (18,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.13 m/s (1,600 ft/min)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar
Eurocopter EC135
The Eurocopter EC135 is a seven place light twin turbine utility helicopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. The designation for dedicated military versions is EC-635.
Developing nation: Germany.
Manufacturer/designer: Eurocopter
Production Lines: Donnauworth, Germany
Type aircraft: Light twin turbine utility helicopter.
First flight: 15 February 1994.
Certification: European JAA 16 June 1996, with FAA approval following on 31 July.
State: in service.
The EC-135 is intended as a replacement for Eurocopter’s successful BO-105 light twin, and is developed from the BO-108 technology demonstrator. A technology demonstrator (‘V1′) flew for the first time on 17 October 1988, powered by two Allison 250-C20R/1 engines. The combination of the BO-108 and the Fenestron led to the definitive EC135.
Variants
- EC135 P1 – Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B. Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (M.T.O.W.) of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
- EC135 T1 – Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial M.T.O.W. of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
- EC135 P2 – Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.EC135 T2Powered by two 452 kW (606 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.
- EC135 P2+ – Latest production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component time between overhaul (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain
- EC135 T2+ – Latest 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 P2iMarketing designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 P2+ standard.EC135 T2iMarketing designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 T2+ standard.
- EC 635 - Military variant operated by Jordan and Swiss Air Force
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: up to seven passengers or two crew and two patients (Air Ambulance variant)
- Length: 12.16 m (39 ft 11 in)
- Rotor diameter: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.51 m (11 ft 6 in)
- Disc area: 81.7 m2 (880 ft2)
- Empty weight: 1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
- Useful load: 1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 2,910 kg (6,415 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B turboshafts, 473 / 498 kW (634 / 667 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 287 km/h (155 knots, 178 mph)
- Cruise speed: 254 km/h (137 knots, 158 mph)
- Range: 635 km (342 nm, 393 mi)
- Service ceiling: 6,096 m (20,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 7.62 m/s (1,500 ft/min)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar.
Eurocopter EC155
The Eurocopter EC155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from the Dauphin family for civil aviation use. Development began in September 1996 with the helicopter officially announced by Eurocopter at the Paris Air Show in June 1997.
Developing nation: France.
Manufacturer/designer: Eurocopter.
Production Line: Eurocopter France Marignane facility.
Type aircraft: long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter.
First flight: 17 June 1997.
State: in service.
The first pre-production EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998. The aircraft received safety certification by the French & German Civil Aviation Authorities on 11 December 1998 and went into production soon after, with a price tag of US$7–8 million depending on installed equipment.
The EC155 B1 is Eurocopter’s high end 5-ton twin-engine helicopter. It is an enhanced version of the proven Dauphin family and boasts the most advanced technologies available. The EC155 B1 has a five-bladed Spheriflex® rotor head with an extremely low vibration level. Equipped with Eurocopter’s famous Fenestron® tail rotor, the EC155 B1 performs with a noise level that falls 4.6 dB below ICAO level. It’s so quiet that passengers feel as if they are travelling in a business jet.
Variants
- EC155 – The first prototype, built from modifying an existing Dauphin airframe.
- EC155 B – The first production version, powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2C1 turboshaft engines.
- EC155 B1 – A more powerful model equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 turboshaft engines and higher M.T.O.W., offering enhanced hot/high performance
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilots)
- Capacity: 13 passengers
- Length: 14.30 m (46.91 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 12.60 m (41.34 ft)
- Height: 4.35 m (14.27 ft)
- Empty weight: 2,618 kg (5,772 lb)
- Loaded weight: 4,950 kg (10,913 lb)
- Useful load: 2,301 kg (5,072 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 4,920 kg (10,846 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 turboshaft, 697 kW (943 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 324 km/h, 201 mph (175 kts)
- Cruise speed: 280 km/h, 174 mph (151 kts)
- Range: 857 km, 532 mi (463 nm)
- Service ceiling: 4,572 m (15,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.9 m/s (1,766 ft/min)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar