The French « Délégation Générale pour l'Armement » grants its acceptance to the first EC 725
The acceptance by the French “Délégation Générale pour l’Armement” (DGA) of the first EC 725 happened on Thursday February 10th 2005. This EC725 is dedicated to C-SAR missions for the French Air force.
Marignane, 10 February 2005
The follow-on deliveries spread out over 2005 and 2006. The latest newcomer to the Cougar range benefits not only from the operating experience of its predecessors, but also from major technical upgrades.
The French Air Force - the EC 725 launch customer – will operate six of these helicopters to perform Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) missions and eight of these aircraft will be operated by the Special Operations Detachment of the French Army Air Corps.
The EC 725 is the latest member of the Cougar family. This aircraft has benefited both from the experience of its predecessors and from important technical improvements. The EC 725 was designed to perform SAR, Combat SAR, long distance tactical transport missions, and also medical transport and logistical services. It can also be used for naval missions.
The EC 725 made its maiden flight in November 2000. It is a medium-class twin-engine helicopter (in the 11 metric ton class), whose performance capabilities have been noticeably increased.
It obtained its qualification from the aeronautical department of the DGA on 23 December 2004.
The military payload of this new version will be substantially increased in comparison with the Cougar MK1 version.
Notable new features of the EC 725 include an entirely new main rotor head, a reinforced main gearbox, new engines, and a new integrated piloting and display system. Eurocopter selected the Cougar Mk2 fuselage structure for the EC 725 because of its excellent operational qualities already proven in service and its large selection of available options and equipment.
New Five-bladed Main Rotor
The EC 725 uses the proven capabilities of the Spheriflex technology for the main and tail rotor heads. This technology also cuts costs for operations and maintenance. With five blades, the main rotor benefits from the most recent advances in airfoil section development and aerodynamic performance. Their design is based on a spar made from composite materials. The blades also make use of multiple box-structures in their construction. With five blades, the aircraft has an especially low vibration level.
The main rotor diameter is 16.2 meters. The rotors and the horizontal stabilizer can be equipped with a deicing/anti-icing system that makes it possible to fly in extremely severe icing conditions.
New Main Gearbox
The main gear box of the EC 725 has been reinforced in order to account for the aircraft's increased turbine power and gross weight. The drive chain of the Mk2 has been kept, and the spiral bevel gears feature deep nitriding technology and the latest optimization of tooth profiles. The lubrication circuit includes a back-up spraying system that makes it possible to operate without oil for 30 minutes.
New Engine
The EC 725 is equipped with 2 Makila 2A turbo engine units. This new engine, developed by the company Turbomeca, includes a new-generation compressor and can operate at a higher temperature than its predecessor, the Makila 1A2. It is thus capable of generating 1,800 kW (2 448 ch, 2 413 shp) of contingency power, an increase of 14% over the previous version.
The dual-channel FADEC system and the "blade shedding" architecture of the free turbine provide modern, reliable, and safe operating capacities. Each engine is a self-contained assembly with all the necessary systems, equipment, and accessories for its operations. The fact that the engines are modular makes maintenance and inspection much easier.
New Integrated Display System
The EC 725 is equipped with new avionics, the result of Eurocopter's extensive experience in pilot-helicopter interface technology and the development of ergonomic features.
The Flight Display System makes use of LCD with four multi-function screens (6" x 8") and two additional screens (4“x 5“) for the helicopter parameters. These screens provide the operator with a simultaneous display for piloting, navigation, and mission parameters. Their modular design means that many different configurations are possible. Computers integrate all flight, navigation, and tactical parameters. With this integrated system, the pilot and copilot can concentrate on external mission features instead of on the aircraft functioning, which means their mission has a much higher probability of success.
| Mk1 | EC 725 | ||||||
| Maximum takeoff weight, internal | 9,000 kg | 19,840 lb. | 11,000 kg | 24,250 lb. | |||
| Maximum takeoff weight, external | 9,350 kg | 20,615 lb. | 11,200 kg | 24,700 lb | |||
| Payload, internal | 4,500 kg | 9,920 lb. | 5,670 kg | 12,500 lb. | |||
| Power at takeoff, per engine |
1,357 kW | 1,845 ch | 1,819 shp | 1,566 kW | 2,130 ch | 2,099 shp | |
| Max. MGB power, 2 engines operating | 2,235 kW | 3,040 ch | 2,996 shp | 2,600 kW | 3,536 ch | 3,485 shp | |
| Maximum range, with max. weight at takeoff | 636 nm | 783 nm | |||||
| Fast cruise speed (9000 kg / 19 840 lb) |
138 knots | 160 knots |
To date 22 aircraft of the EC 725/225 family have already been ordered and more than 650 helicopters from the Super Puma/EC 225-Cougar/EC 725 family have been ordered by 85 customers in 47 countries.
The delivery of the first civil EC 225 occurred in December 2004. This aircraft was in a VIP configuration.
Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global company specializing in the aerospace and defence sectors and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of €30.1 billion, and employed a workforce of over 109,000. EADS includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; and joint venture MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and is developing the A400M military transport aircraft. EADS is the lead industrial partner in the European Galileo programme for satellite-based navigation.
For further information, please contact:
Jean-Louis ESPES
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex – France
Tel.: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64
Christina GOTZHEIN
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-81663 Munich - Germany
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37
Eduardo CONSEJO
Eurocopter España, S.A.
Carretera Barrio de la Fortuna, 10
28044 Cuatro Vientos, Madrid-Spain
Tel.: + 34 91 511 04 70
Fax: + 34 91 511 04 69
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
