Description:
Eurocopter's EC 135 is a lightweight, twin-engine, low operating costs, multi-mission helicopter intended for the civil market. A militarized version called the EC 635 has been developed from the EC 135. It can be powered by either Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 engines (EC 135P2 designation) rated at 570-hp or Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engines (EC 135T2) rated at 597-hp. Both power plants feature Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) which provides optimized performance, safety and fuel efficiency.
The EC 135 helicopter incorporates composite materials and the latest aerodynamic refinements to get an enhanced speed and range performance. The Fenestron tail rotor and the main rotor offer high maneuverability and enhanced comfort through vibration reduction. Its avionics and glass cockpit have become Eurocopter's benchmark for next generation helicopters such as the EC 145. A conventional configuration cockpit is also available for the EC 135. In addition to the pilot, the EC 135 can accommodate up to seven passengers.
The EC 135 helicopter has been adapted to conduct primarily VIP/passenger transport, law enforcement, emergency medical service (EMS) and rescue missions. Eurocopter delivered the 400th EC135 to Transportes Aéreos Pegaso of Mexico on 28 April 2005. Since mid-1996, when it entered service, to April 2005 it has captured 65 percent market share. In the law enforcement and EMS segments the EC135 represents 80 percent of the total orders.
On 27 February 2006 the Lithuanian Border Guard placed an order worth 18 million Euro for two EC 135 and one EC 145 helicopters to be delivered by the end of 2006. These aircraft were ordered to complement two EC 120s operated by the Lithuanian Border Guard.
On March 17, 2006 the Spanish government launched the modernization program for its security forces: Guardia Civil and Cuerpo Nacional de Policia. The program included a requirement of 48 Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters fitted with mission-specific equipments. An EC 135 assembly line was established to set up in Albacete under management of Eurocopter Espana to deliver these 48 helicopters from 2006 through to 2014.
Eurocopter Germany and the Swiss defense procurement agency signed a contract on April 25, 2006, for the delivery of 20 EC 635/EC 135 family helicopters to the Swiss Armed Forces. Two EC 135 are intended for VIP transport while the remaining 18 EC 635 helicopters were purchased as a replacement for aging Alouette III in the utility and advanced training role. Deliveries were expected to begin in early 2008 and complete by the end of 2009. The first four machines were agreed to be assembled by Eurocopter in Germany with the other 16 to be assembled by RUAG in Switzerland.
On 29 August 2006, Spanish INAER Group placed an order for nine helicopters from Eurocopter to be delivered between June 2007 and January 2009. The order included: four EC 135s, two EC 145s, two AS350B3 Squirrel and one AS355NP Squirrel helicopters valued at 33 million Euros. These aircraft were intended to provide fire fighting, civil protection and emergency medical services across Spain, Portugal and Italy.
On 12 October 2006, Warsaw-based Heli Invest placed an order for one EC 135 helicopter and one EC 145 helicopter on behalf of two undisclosed corporate customers in Poland.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 1, Passengers 7
Dimensions: Height 3.4 m, Length 10.2 m, Width 1.6 m
Weights: Max Weight 2,900 kg (6,393 lb), Min Weight 1,460 kg (3,219 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 6,095 m (19,997 ft), Cruise Speed 61 mps (220 kph), Endurance 4 hours, Max Range 650 km (351 nm), Top Speed 80 mps (287 kph)
Austria
China / 2 
Czech Republic
Egypt / 3 
France
Germany
Aircraft sold to the German federal police (16); Bavarian Ministry of the Interior (8)
Greece / 2 
India
Ireland
Kuwait
Lithuania / 2 
Malaysia / 5 
Mexico
Netherlands / 6 
Norway
Philippines
Poland / 24 
Romania
Russia
Slovenia
Spain
Aircraft ordered by DGT (2)
Sweden
Switzerland / 2 
United Arab Emirates / 1 
United Kingdom
United States of America