Eurocopter EC-135/635
- CountryGermany and France
- TypeSeven place light twin turbine utility helicopter
- PowerplantsEither two 435kW (583shp) takeoff rated Turboméca Arrius 2B or two 463kW (621shp) takeoff rated Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-206B turboshafts driving a four blade main rotor and 10 blade shrouded Fenestron tail rotor.
- PerformanceMax cruising speed 257km/h (139kt). Max initial rate of climb 1653ft/min. Service ceiling 20,000ft. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 13,260ft with Arrius 2B1s, 13,580ft with PW-206Bs. Range with standard fuel 745km (402nm), ferry range with long range tank 878km (474nm). Endurance with standard fuel 3hr 40min with Arrius 2B1s, 3hr 50min with PW-206s.
- WeightsEmpty with Arrius 2B1s 1465kg (3230lb), empty with PW-206s 1480kg (3263lb), max takeoff 2720kg (5997lb) or 2900kg (6393lb) with an external sling load.
- DimentionsMain rotor diameter 10.20m (33ft 6in), length overall rotor turning 12.16m (39ft 11in), fuselage length 10.20m (33ft 7in), height 3.62m (11ft 11in). Main rotor disc area 81.7m2 (879.5sq ft).
- CapacityDesigned for single pilot operation. Alternative cabin layouts are for five (two forward & three rear) or seven (two + three + two) in passenger roles. Alternative EMS layouts for one stretcher, three medical attendants and the pilot, or two stretchers, two attendants and pilot. Stretchers loaded through rear freight door.
- ProductionFirst deliveries in July 1996. Total forecast sales of 700 units. By late 1998 orders stood at approx 110.
The EC-135 is expected as a swap for Eurocopter's fruitful BO-105 light twin, and is produced from the BO-108 engineering demonstrator.
The first MBB BO-108 was expected as a high engineering helicopter demonstrator, and as being what is indicated consolidated a scope of high innovation gimmicks including a hingeless primary rotor (Sikorsky and Boeing embraced this outline for their military RAH-66 Comanche), all composite bearingless tail rotor, shallow transmission (permitting more prominent lodge stature) with uncommon vibration absorbers, composite structures, enhanced flight science, advanced flying and EFIS instrumentation. The main BO-108 was fueled by Allison 250-C20r3 turboshafts and flew on October 15 1988.
The achievement of the BO-108 test system prompted MBB's report in January 1991 that it would create a creation 108 with Arrius or PW-206 motors as a swap for the BO-105, with confirmation anticipated 1994 and conveyances in 1995. However the development of Eurocopter (in January 1992) gave the system access to Aerospatiale's Fenestron covered tail rotor innovation which was then fused into the outline.
The synthesis of the BO-108 and the Fenestron prompted the conclusive EC-135 flying surprisingly on February 15 1994. German accreditation was conceded on June 14 1996, while US regard was given on July 31 that year, that day as the first client conveyance.
The PW-206 controlled model is assigned EC-135p-1, the EC-135t-1 has the Arrius 2b1.
The assignment for committed military renditions is EC-635.
Pictures of Eurocopter EC-135/635
