Eurocopter Proudly Announces the Operational Debut of the Combat SAR EC725 Helicopters with the French Armed Forces
Marignane, 10 May 2006
On 10 May 2006, the French Air Force Chief of Staff, General Richard Wolsztynski, presided the official ceremony on the Cazaux Base in which the Combat Search & Rescue EC725 helicopters were declared operational.
Currently the most accomplished helicopter in the world for Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) operations, the EC725 will progressively take over from the former generation helicopters, offering substantially improved operational capabilities. On this occasion, Eurocopter President Fabrice Brégier emphasized the success of the EC725 program – from program ordering in 2002 to qualification in 2004 – and expressed his satisfaction at the exemplary cooperation between Eurocopter and the various French Government agencies involved (DGA, CEV, DQP, Air Force, CEAM de Mont de Marsan, etc.).
The French Air Force, which is the EC725 launch customer, will ultimately operate 6 of the helicopters – 4 have already been delivered – for CSAR missions. The French Army will acquire 8 EC725s – 7 have already been received – for duties with the Special Operations Squadron.
As regards support and continued operability, this contract innovates as it includes power-bythe- hour maintenance.
The EC 725 is the latest member of the Cougar family: it thus benefits from the experience acquired by its predecessors and from major technical advances.
The EC 725 is designed for long-distance tactical transport, SAR and Combat SAR missions, medical transport, and logistic support. It can also be used for naval operations. The EC725 is a twin-engine, medium-weight helicopter in the 11 metric ton class with significantly enhanced performances. It made its maiden flight in November 2000. Notable new features of the EC725 include an entirely new main rotor head, a reinforced main gearbox, new engines, and a new integrated piloting and display system.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
For more information, please contact:
Jean Louis ESPES
Eurocopter
Tel.: + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 55
Fax: + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 64
mailto: jean-louis.espes@eurocopter.com
Christina GOTZHEIN
Eurocopter
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37
mailto: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com
Jesus RUIZ
Eurocopter
Tel.: + 34 91 379 66 04
Fax: + 34 91 379 66 10
mailto: jesus.ruiz@eurocopter.com
Christopher BACH
Eurocopter
Tel.: +49 (0) 906 71 45 65
Fax: +49 (0) 906 71 39 39
mailto: christopher.bach@eurocopter.com
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