Light Twin-Engine Aircraft Is Leading Military Trainer Globally

Airbus Helicopters Inc. will offer the Airbus H135 helicopter as the solution for the U.S. Navy’s planned helicopter trainer replacement program. An H135 demonstrator aircraft in Navy trainer markings is on display this week at the 2018 Naval Helicopter Association Symposium in Norfolk, VA.

“The H135 is a market leading twin-engine, multi-mission helicopter performing the primary training mission for some of the finest militaries in the world,” said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Head of the North America Region.

The U.S. Army operates Airbus Helicopters’ twin-engine UH-72A Lakota as its initial entry rotary wing trainer at Fort Rucker, AL. “When paired with Airbus unrivaled support for the lifetime of the airframe, the H135 is the right solution both technically and economically for the U.S. Navy,” Emerson said. “As a twin-engine helicopter, the H135 provides a training environment most similar to the Navy’s warfighting rotorcraft fleet, creating opportunities for cost and operational synergies compared to a single engine trainer.”

The H135 is the rotorcraft of choice for military pilot training due to its maneuverability, high visibility, and low vibration levels. The aircraft is equipped with the most advanced technologies available, providing instructor pilots with an ideal platform for training missions for the U.S. Navy.

The H135 is fitted with a Glass Cockpit, a crash-resistant fuel system, energy absorbing seats, fuselage and landing gear. The H135 has a proven record of unrivaled operational costs as result of continuous technological improvements. The H135 is the preeminent military training helicopter in the world, currently providing pilot training for military pilots in over 13 countries around the world.

Easily recognized by its trademarked Fenestron tail rotor system, the H135 combines Airbus Helicopters Helionix technologies, including an advanced cockpit with one of the most modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) available in this light multi-purpose helicopter class. With an accumulation of more than 4.5 million flight hours, the H135’s operational training readiness has consistently averaged greater than 90 percent further highlighting the platform’s viability for U.S. Navy pilot training.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com