Airbus has delivered 2 helicopters to NASA

 

Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. in Columbus, Mississippi. continues to expand its product portfolio supporting the future of space exploration with the delivery of two new H135 helicopters from the manufacturing and completion facility to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

With the third H135 scheduled for delivery early next year, the helicopters will be deployed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be used for rocket launches for a variety of missions, including air safety, emergency medical services, research, and skilled passenger transport.

David Ramsey, Chief Flight Operations Officer of NASA Kennedy Space Center, said, “We are delighted to see Airbus helicopters in our fleet. As NASA tried to restore its aging helicopter fleet, it chose the H135 for its performance, capabilities, and ability to meet our needs. In the coming years, these helicopters will not only support safety and routine missions at the Kennedy Space Center, but also support our astronauts and crew as they launch important missions to the International Space Station (ISS), the Moon and beyond.

In October, one of the H135s will take the Crew Dragon members on a 6-month expedition to SpaceX's ISI to the historic launch pad at 39A. Helicopters will also support the preparation and execution of the Artemis project, a manned lunar travel program by 2024.

"Working with NASA is something we've dreamed of since childhood - myself included - and we are ready to fully support the new H135s," said Romain Trapp, President of Airbus Helicopters North America. "It is truly an honor and privilege to build a helicopter that will help NASA realize critical advances in science and aviation technology."

Airbus 'lightweight, twin-engine H135 helicopter is equipped with the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' own Helionix digital avionics package. Operated by close to 300 customers around the world, the H135 is known for its excellent performance, durability, reliability and versatility.

Airbus Helicopters, which recently signed a $ 15 million support solution agreement with NASA with the option to extend up to 10 years, will operate NASA's H135 helicopter fleet at full capacity. Additionally, Airbus will be responsible for helicopter flight operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, deploying two pilots, two mechanics and a program manager.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. It is the United States' leading helicopter supplier, with 50 years of existence, more than 725 employees, local production and completion facilities for H125 and UH-72 Lakota helicopters, as well as providing world-class training and support solutions.

Norsk Orders 3 H135s

Orlando, Florida, 04 March, 2015 – Norway’s Norsk luftambulanse AS has ordered three H135s to further broaden the leading medical airlift services provider’s fleet of Airbus Helicopters-built rotorcraft.

The agreement, signed today during the Heli-Expo 2015 industry convention in Orlando, Florida, marks Norsk luftambulanse’s latest acquisition of Airbus Helicopters’ lightweight twin-engine rotorcraft – with its current inventory consisting of 13 H135s and two H145s.

“Norsk luftambulanse is recognized for operational expertise and the focus on continually upgrading its operations to set the standards in helicopter emergency medical services,” explained Jacques Cardaillac, Airbus Helicopters’ Head of Sales for Northern Europe and the Benelux countries. “This latest H135 order is another endorsement of the Norsk luftambulanse’s confidence in our products and services.”

With bases in Norway and Denmark, Norsk luftambulanse is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Norsk Luftambulanse Foundation, whose mission is to develop air ambulance services through research and development activities, education and national collaborative projects.

“Our new order with Airbus Helicopters will ensure that we continue operating aircraft with the latest technologies and the most advanced mission capabilities,” said Norsk luftambulanse CEO Syver Leivestad.

The H135 is a helicopter of reference for air ambulance operators worldwide. It combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity – along with low-noise operations. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus Helicopter’s signature shrouded Fenestron® tail rotor. 

Airbus Helicopters’ H135 designation for this twin-engine rotorcraft – previously known as the EC135 –reflects the new numbering of its product lines as part of the company’s identity within the Airbus Group.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 44 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in more than 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its 29 customer centers and participations and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Stéphane Chéry
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 60 51
Mob: + 33 (0)6 23 93 71 23
stephane.chery@airbus.com

Claas Belling
Tel: + 49 (0)906 71 4565
Mob: +49 (0)151 6885 4939
Claas.belling@airbus.com

Erin Callender
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 51 31
Mob: + 33 (0)6 72 86 68 03
Erin.callender@airbus.com

Priscilla Yip
Tel: +65 6592 7217
Mob: +65 9660 7040
Priscilla.yip@airbus.com

Laurence Petiard
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 25 45
Mob: + 33 (0)6 18 79 75 69
laurence.petiard@airbus.com

Julia Sailer
Tel: + 49 (0)906 71 2129
Mob: + 49 (0)151 2645 0997
Julia.sailer@airbus.com

Gloria Illas
Tel: + 33 (0)4 42 85 58 89
Mob: +33 (0) 6 31 47 08 99
gloria.illas@airbus.com