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Eurocopter EC 635 - a capable Military Light Utility Helicopter

Farnborough, 22 July 2002

The EC 635 is the military version of the light twin-engine EC 135 helicopter. Within the framework of the development programme EC 635 Portugal, the following weapons systems: - the HMP 400 12.7 mm gun, the GIAT NC621 20 mm gun, and the 12-round, 70 mm FZ 231 rocket launcher, in various configurations respectively - have already been qualified for this helicopter. The Portuguese Army Aviation has ordered nine of these machines.

The EC 635 is one of the most versatile helicopters on the market today. It is designed to carry out military and paramilitary missions, also including search and rescue, troop transport, reconnaissance/observation, training and vertical replenishment. The EC 635 is also ideal for disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions when transport loads, medical supplies and food. It also carries out other duties involving the navy and coastal surveillance.

What's more, its internal equipment can be easily interchanged. For instance, the user can select one of several seating layouts, or install medical apparatus. The roomy 4.6 cubic-meter cabin is free of obstacles. Cabin access is via three lateral sliding doors - and via two large-size rear doors, a feature not offered by any of the competitors. Thanks to the two rear clamshell doors and the shrouded Fenestron tail rotor, loading/unloading is performed in conditions of complete safety.

Among the exceptional qualities of the EC 635 are its outstanding operational effectiveness, its day and night mission capability and night vision goggles, its high performance, and its modern maintenance concept. Last of all, the EC 635 can be fitted with the "Avionique Nouvelle" system that helps to reduce the pilot's workload. This system is comparable with those equipping recent commercial aircraft.

The EC 635 is either powered by uprated Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engines, or by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines. The two engines have comparable performances.

The maintenance concept is particularly noteworthy. Most of the main components are subject to on-condition maintenance, which minimizes the time needed for maintenance. The technical publications are supplied on CD-ROM in order to help with the logistics management. Upon customer request, a Usage Monitoring System (UMS) can be installed.

Apart from the Portuguese armed forces who are launch customer with nine EC 635s, a number of other military and paramilitary organizations are interested in this helicopter.

Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). With revenues amounting to 30.8 billion Euro and a workforce of over 100,000, EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Jean-Louis ESPES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France -

Christina GOTZHEIN
Tel: +49(0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: +49(0) 89 60 00 44 37
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-81663 Munich - Germany

Chantal LINARES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 60 51
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France

Christoph MÜLLER
Tel: +49(0) 906 71 45 65
Fax: +49(0) 906 71 46 74
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-86607 Donauwörth - Germany