Country of origin:

International

Description:

General-purpose light utility helicopter

Power Plant:

Two 550 kw (738 shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1E21 turboshafts

Specifications:

History:

The Eurocopter EC-145 was a development of the MBK-117 series. Work commenced on the design in 1997, the type being initially marketed in Japan as the MBK-117C-2. The first German development aircraft D-HMBK (c/n S-882) flew on 12 June 1999, followed by the Japanese prototype on 15 March 2000. Two further prototypes followed in the German program (D-HMBL and D-HMBM) in April and October 2000. Designed and built as a co-operative venture, Kawasaki built the tail section and Eurocopter the forward section.

The EC-145 was launched at the Paris Air Show in June 2001 and it was awarded Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on 14 February 2002 at the Heli-Expo event at Orlando, Florida. The launch operator was the French Securite Civile, with an order for 32 being placed in December 1997, and it was subsequently ordered by a number of European police forces. The machine was based on the MBK-117, but forward of the engines was a new nose based on that of the EC-135 series. The cabin was more spacious than the MBK-117.

In mid 2006 the EC-145 won the United States Army light utility helicopter contract, an order being placed for 352 aircraft, being chosen over the Agusta Westland AW-139, McDonnell Douglas MD-902 Explorer and the Bell 412EP. It has been supplied primarily to active US Army and National Guard units in non-combat operational roles, light general support, civil search-and-rescue, personnel recovery, air ambulance medical evacuation, security command and control operations, and counter-drug operations.

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) constructed the aircraft, Sikorsky dealt with logistics support, and WestWind Technologies provided systems integration. In American military service it was known as the UH-72A. Assembly took place at the Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Mississippi, the first machine being delivered in November 2006.

First of the type seen in this region was VH-TNG (c/n 9061) displayed at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in March 2005, which was subsequently operated by True North No 2 Pty Ltd. Further examples have been imported, two, VH-SYG (c/n 9235) and VH-SYB (c/n 9203), being operated by CHC Helicopters (Australia) based in New South Wales for helicopter rescue services. One has been used by the NSW Rural Fire Service for firebombing, being able to deliver 1,100 litres (242 Imp gals) of fire retardant.

In 2007 Australian Aerospace and Helicopters Australia was contracted to Australian Customs to provide an EC-145 for support of the Customs Rapid Response Helicopter Service, the first machine VH-WKA (c/n 9158) entering service in April 2008, operations being based at Gove, NT, being followed by VH-WKC (c/n 9209). Another example became VH-WGO² (c/n 9156) registered on 3 April 2008 but exported as PK-RTF on 30 March 2012. All examples appeared on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register as a Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH MBB-Bk-117C-2.

During August 2019 a new variant of the Airbus H145 was flown at Donauworth, Germany, featuring a five-blade rotor.

In 2016 Pacific Helicopters based in Papua New Guinea took delivery of the first of three EC-145s, the first aircraft being based at Goroka, this aircraft being owned by Waypoint Leasing, whereas the other two, delivered during 2016, were owned by the operator.

Examples of the EC-145 have been delivered to New Zealand operator Advanced Flight Ltd of Auckland, being based at Ardmore. These included ZK-ITF (c/n 20020) registered as an MBB BK-117D-2 on 23 October 2014 and ZK-IEH (c/n 9110) which was registered initially on 16 July 2007 as a BK-117C-2 as ZK-ITF, also ZK-IGT, becoming ZK-IEH on 23 September 2014 also with Advanced Flight Ltd of Auckland. Two were delivered in August 2019 for Emergency Medical Services to operate between Christchurch and Dunedin.  By that time the global family of EC-145s, later known as the Airbus H145, had reached 1,400 examples and they had jointly logged five-million flight hours.

Australian EC-145s have included VH-SYG (c/n 9235), VH-TNG (c/n 9061), VH-WKA (c/n 9158), VH-WKG (c/n 9156), VH-WKC (c/n 9209 – ex G-GZEP, N957AL), and VH-ZZW² (c/n 9177 – ex F-OKET, N126FB, D-HMBD) which was exported to Kazakhstan on 27 October 2010. One example has been registered as P2-PHC (c/n 20074 – ex ZK-HPB) in New Guinea.