Airbus Helicopters at the forefront of technology , innovation and employment generation

By Sangeeta Saxena

Dounaworth, Germany.  04 November 2019. Airbus Helicopters  with a unique global presence, a 5.934 bn€ turnover in 2018, with 3,064 Operators in 148 Countries, 30 Customer Centres and affiliated sites and 19,745 employees  is marching ahead keeping the Airbus flag flying high.

And  the military derivatives  being frontrunners with 2450 military helicopters in service, 29,429,800 cumulated  flight hours, 160 military customers worldwide trust Airbus helicopters to get the job done thereby making it the  widest military range and covering the entire operational spectrum of military missions.

Matthieu Louvot ,  Executive Vice President Programmes while speaking with the visiting journalists during the Trade Media Briefing at Donauworth Airbus facility near Munich stated that military market accounts for  more than 50% of Airbus Helicopters revenues.

He stressed that Airbus has been  guaranteeing availability through global support contracts with  Australia,Taiwan, UK MFTS and Lithuania. It has proven  expertise in performance based contracts for military operators like US Army and Brazil.

The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 in an unmanned reconnaissance helicopter currently being developed by Airbus Helicopters  and Naval Group and its first flight will take place before the end of the year, he informed.  Selected by the French Navy for its SDAM requirement, Airbus is leveraging on its expertise as systems integrator for VSR700.

More than 130 H135s in service for military training worldwide with a high rate of fleet reliability, simple and cost effective maintenance, Airbus celebrated the H135’s 20-year anniversary in October 2016. Two decades after its entry into service, the H135 has continuously evolved and extended its performance and mission capabilities. Fitted with a bearing less main rotor, Airbus’ signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, engine software modifications, and a new lateral air intake, the H135 provides additional payload and delivers best-in-class performance throughout its flight envelope.

Two full authority digital engine control (FADEC)-equipped engine options are available: Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arrius 2B2plus and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s 206B3. Both of these reliable turboshaft power plants provide outstanding performance and vital power reserves – even in one engine inoperative scenarios – along with low fuel consumption.

One of Airbus’ most successful light aircraft, the H135 is known for its endurance, compact build, low sound levels, reliability, versatility and cost-competitiveness. The H135 comes with the lowest operating and maintenance costs in its class. This twin-engine helicopter can perform different missions, and can land almost anywhere, particularly in high and hot conditions, while carrying more payload over longer distances than other rotorcraft in its category.

 Donauwörth  is located in the district of Donau-Ries, about 40 km north of the university city of Augsburg and an hour away from  Munich. The Airbus Helicopters here is the  innovative hub of helicopter technology with around 7,000 employees, including more than 180 trainees, is the largest employer in the district of Donau-Ries and was honored in 2016 as TOP employer in the region.

Airbus Helicopters is the only company in Germany to combine all the skills and facilities necessary to develop, produce, test and maintain the most modern helicopters for private operators as well as for police and rescue services or armed forces. From Donauwörth the helicopter models H135, H145, H160, Tiger and NH90 start their journey all over the world.

 In addition, Airbus Helicopters manufactures more than 4,000 passenger and freight doors for aircraft in Donauwörth, including the Airbus A380 and the new A350 XWB. International cooperation is a top priority in all areas – whether at the main sites in Germany, France and Spain or in cooperation with subsidiaries, suppliers and customers worldwide.