First Of Their Type To Be Purchased For The French Navy

Two EC225s ordered by the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) will be the first to be operated by the French Navy, Eurocopter announced Monday. The helicopters, which will be used to perform search and rescue (SAR) missions off the coast of Brittany, are slated for delivery in the first half of 2010 and will be assigned to the Lanvéoc naval air station in the Finistère region. They will eventually replace the navy's Super-Frelon helicopters, which are near the end of their service life, and will be operated until the first NH90 NFH helicopters enter service at the base in late 2011.

"We are extremely pleased that the DGA continues to place its confidence in Eurocopter products," said Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. "Since it was first launched, the EC225 has been selected in nearly every tender (bid) in which it was a candidate. This helicopter has quickly become the reference for sea SAR missions around the world."

The EC225 was designed with SAR missions in mind. The twin-engine helicopter has an entirely redesigned five-blade rotor system and a maximum takeoff weight of 11 metric tons. As an example of possible mission scenarios, the EC225 is capable of rescuing ten people within a range of 300 NM.

The EC225 is auto pilot capable. It includes advanced modes specifically developed for SAR operations, and offers extraordinary capabilities for maneuvering into hover flight positions and maintaining them. It is so precise that it can hold the helicopter's position above a ship at sea down to an accuracy of three feet.

The EC225 is also the only helicopter which offers automatic engine failure controls, whether it be during takeoff, cruise flight or hoisting operations. These features are crucial for flight safety and allow flight crews to perform more effective missions—even in the extreme operating conditions often confronted by sea SAR teams.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com