EADS N.V. - EC 145 sets new Standards for Emergency Medical Services

The ADAC Air Rescue Service, which operates a fleet of 36 Eurocopter helicopters, has just become the first air rescue service in Germany to take delivery of its first two EC 145 helicopters. After the French Sécurité Civile (32 machines ordered) and the Swiss air rescue organization REGA it is thus the third EMS operator (Emergency Medical Services) to operate this new generation rescue helicopter. Eurocopter sees this as confirmation of its philosophy, that the EC 145 will be the perfect complement to the EC 135 in this demanding market sector.

Just about one year after its market launch the EC 145 has become firmly established in the 3.5 metric tonne helicopter class. Over 50 aircraft have been ordered already and the series production and delivery are operating smoothly.

This helicopter has become such a great success in particular thanks to its exceptionally large utilisable space, which is up to 70% more than that of comparable competitors’ products. This provides substantially more room inside the helicopter for medical equipment and patient care, which amongst other things sets completely new standards in air rescue, as is already being demonstrated in operation by the Sécurité Civile ,the REGA and the ADAC.

The EC 145, which is ideally suited to air ambulance and medical transport missions of severely traumatised patients thanks to its spaciousness, making it the logical successor to the EC 135, and in the course of this summer the German Air Rescue (DRF) will take delivery of its first EC 145 too.

Another advantage of the EC 145 is the exceptionally low noise level for a helicopter in its category. On average just 6.7 dB, well below the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In comparison to its direct predecessor the BK 117 C1, the EC 145 is up to 60% quieter. For air rescue and police missions, which fly a majority of their missions over densely populated areas, this environmentally friendly aspect of the EC 145 is of particular importance.

Over and above this, Eurocopter has met its strategic objective of positioning the EC 145 as a multi-use helicopter above all market segments in its class. The successor of the BK-117 is already being operated successfully by the French Gendarmerie which has ordered eight, as well as the police in the state (Bundesland) of Hessen. Particular attention is currently being paid to the offshore business, where the EC 145 is seen as having great potential.

EADS is a global aerospace and defence company, and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues, having achieved EUR 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technologies, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. Its family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft maker Airbus; Eurocopter, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer; Astrium, the space company and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. EADS has more than 70 facilities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. It is active in markets around the world, including the U.S. and Asia.