The Eurocopter EC 145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. The EC 145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, which became a part of the Eurocopter line-up in 1992. The first customers for the EC 145 were the French Sécurité Civile and French Police.
Developing nation: Germany and Japan.
Manufacturer/designer: MBB-Kawasaki.
Number built: .
Type aircraft: Medium utility helicopter.
First flight: 12 June 1999.
State: in service.
Primary user: Sécurité Civile.
The helicopter can be kitted out for a number of missions including search and rescue, police and federal roles, surveillance, firefighting, mobile command centre, cargo, passenger and VIP transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, training and offshore support.
In operations on land and at sea, the EC145 is at the top of its class in the medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter category. With up to 12 seats for pilots and passengers, this multi-mission helicopter combines Eurocopter’s latest developments such as an advanced cockpit design, avionics and a sophisticated electrical system.
Variants
- UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter for the US Army; 345 planned for domestic use.
- Armed Scout 645A proposed armed version of the UH-72/EC145 being offered for the US Army’s OH-58D replacement program.
General characteristics EC145
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilots)
- Capacity: 9 passengers
- Length: 13.03 m (42 ft 9 in)
- Rotor diameter: 11.0 m (36 ft)
- Height: 3.45 m (11 ft 4 in)
- Disc area: 95 m² (1,018 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1,792 kg (3,951 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,585 kg (7,903 lb)
- Useful load: 1,793 kg (3,953 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,585 kg (7,903 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshafts, 550 kW (738 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 268 km/h (145 kt, 167 mph)
- Cruise speed: 246 km/h (133 kn, 153 mph)
- Range: 680 km (370 nmi, 426 mi)
- Ferry range: 855 km (461 nmi, 530 mi)
- Service ceiling: 5,240 m (17,200 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s (1,600 ft/min)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar and Arie de Bruin
