Design
The EC-135 helicopter incorporates Eurocopter's patented low-noise culvert tail propeller technology. The ten blades of the culvert-tail propeller are arranged in an asymmetrical arrangement, spaced at different intervals to radically reduce helicopter noise. The main rotor is made of four-bladed, bearingless and high-strength fiber composite materials.
The built-in anti-resonance isolation system also works well to reduce vibration and noise levels. As a civilian-operated model, the EC-135's external noise level is 6dB lower than regulatory requirements, allowing operation over large residential areas and hospitals.
Because of its reliable twin-engine design and low noise benefits, the EC-135 has gained favor in police law enforcement use, such as in Spanish police departments; the German Federal Border Police, Bavarian and Saxon State Police; the U.S. Travis Regional Police; and also operated in Swedish, Irish, Chilean, Kuwaiti, and British police departments. Helicopters are used for patrols, aerial surveillance, VIP and dignitary transportation, and also play an important role in urban firefighting.
McAlpine Helicopters, established in Oxford, England, equips helicopters with police operating equipment and systems to meet police department mission requirements. A typical equipment package includes an under-fuselage surveillance pod with day/night access, forward looking infrared, a multi-sensor turret, SX-16 searchlights, a loudspeaker system, a secure communications package using microwave voice and data downlinks, hooks, a rescue hoist, and a medical evacuation kit.
Options include the provision of a Rapelling rope drop system. There is the ability to install TV and camera systems in the passenger cabin, as well as cabin doors and viewing windows for monitoring operations.
Rescue capabilities
Search and rescue and emergency medical helicopters have been adopted for use in service operations by, among others, German Air Rescue.
Emergency medical service helicopters are operated by one or two pilots. The helicopter is capable of carrying one or two stretcher patients, three doctors and a number of medical assistants. Different medical devices are installed and equipped as needed.
Loading and unloading of the helicopter can be carried out quickly and easily by means of large sliding doors on the side of the helicopter and a closing door on the tail. For lifting operations with a winch, the patient can be quickly and safely transferred into the hovering helicopter. A load reflector and a dual hook system mounted on the outside of the fuselage allow the patient, flight crew and medical crew to work together to ensure safe and secure rescue missions.
Passengers
The standard model can carry a pilot and six or seven passengers. The VIP/Supervisor model is suitable for four or five passengers. The helicopter's cabin is easy to get in and out of, and the exit is equipped with a large sliding door. Baggage and cargo can be loaded through the aft hinged door.
Cockpit
The helicopter is equipped with a Telus SMD45 dual-screen flight and engine management system, avionics from Hannewell Golden Crown and Telus Avionique Nouvelle, an air data computer, an SFIM automatic flight control system, a global positioning system and a Hannewell integrated flight data and cockpit voice recorder. flight data and cockpit voice recorders. A color weather radar system may be installed.
The EC-135 helicopters used by the German Federal Border Police are being equipped with the EADS Dornier Hellas helicopter warning system, which was certified by Germany in October 2003 and is based on a LiDAR system. Czech police helicopters have been equipped with the EADS/Dornier Dkg4 moving map system, which is very advanced and allows pilots to know their position and situation information.
Engine
Eurocopter offers a choice of two engine types for the EC-135, equipped with a fully digital engine control system. the FADEC system provides enhanced performance, engine protection and powerplant monitoring.
The options are the Turbomeca Arrius 2B2, rated at 426 kilowatts of continuous power, and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2, rated at 419 kilowatts of continuous power.The EC-135 helicopter has a standard fuel tank capacity of 673 liters and a range of 620 kilometers. Optionally, an additional fuel tank can be added to extend the range to 880 kilometers.
Performance
The EC-135 has an overall length of 12.16 meters, a height of 3.51 meters, a width of 2.67 meters, a rotor diameter of 10.2 meters, a payload capacity of 2.85 tons, a maximum flight altitude of 3,000 meters, a maximum flight speed of 278 hrs/km, a maximum range of 735 kilometers, and a range of 3.5 hours.