Eurocopter EC 635

Infobox Aircraft
name= EC 635


caption=
type= Light Multi-Purpose Helicopter
manufacturer= Eurocopter
designer=
first flight=
introduced= May 1998
retired=
status=
primary user= Royal Jordanian Air Force
more users= Swiss Air Force
produced=
number built= 16
unit cost=
developed from = Eurocopter EC 135
variants with their own articles= The Eurocopter EC 635 is a light multi-purpose helicopter developed by Eurocopter as a military version of the Eurocopter EC 135. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 8 people, including the pilot, and a range of military equipment or armaments. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, medical evacuation, cargo transport and armed combat support missions.

Development

The Eurocopter EC635 was developed to meet a Portuguese Army requirement for a fire support and medical evacuation helicopter to support its plans for a specialist Army Air Corps unit — UALE. The EC635 was first revealed at the Aviation Africa exhibition in May 1998 and the [http://www.mdn.gov.pt Portuguese Ministry of Defence] subsequently signed an agreement for nine EC635 T2 helicopters equipped with Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 engines, at a cost of €35 million in October 1999. [ [http://www.helis.com/news/1999/aeec635.htm Helis.com - Nine EC 635 Helicopters For The Portuguese Army] ] Delivery of the first Portuguese aircraft was expected to begin in 2001; however, continual delays in production led to the Portuguese Ministry of Defence canceling the contract in August 2002, citing Eurocopter's failure to deliver all aircraft between August 2001 and April 2002 as the reason. Eurocopter claimed that disagreements over the integration of weapons systems on the helicopter were the reason for the cancellation. [ [http://www.helis.com/news/2002/aeec635.htm Helis.com - Portugal Cancels EC 635 Contract] ]

The Royal Jordanian Air Force agreed to purchase the 9 Portuguese helicopters in October 2002 and the first aircraft was delivered in July 2003. Jordan ordered a further 4 helicopters in January 2006 and deliveries of all machines were completed in 2007.

In April 2006, the [http://www.ar.admin.ch/internet/armasuisse/en/home.html Swiss Defence Procurement Agency (Armasuisse)] ordered 18 EC635's for the Swiss Air Force, to replace the aging Aérospatiale Alouette III in performing transport and advanced training missions. The first two aircraft will be built by Eurocopter, with the remaining 16 being built by RUAG Aerospace in Alpnach, Switzerland, and deliveries expected to be completed between March 2008 and December 2009. [ [http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/frnews1/FRNews06/FR060430.htm Flug Revue - Switzerland Orders 20 EC 635s] ]

Design

The EC635 is based on the Eurocopter EC 135, improving upon the design for military operations and able to carry weapons systems. The helicopter is fitted with a choice of powerplants, depending on customer requirements and can be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 turbine engines (EC635 P2+) or two Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 turbine engines (EC635 T2+). The powerplant is mounted over the baggage compartment and features a Full Authority Digital Engine Control system. The engines power a fibre-reinforced composite Bearingless Main Rotor (BMR) with four blades, and the familiar Fenestron enclosed tail rotor, both of which reduce vibration and noise levels. Vibration levels are further reduced by a built-in Anti Resonance Isolation System (ARIS). The EC635 can be fitted with either a conventional cockpit consisting of a traditional dashboard, or a glass cockpit, which utilizes a Thales 'Avionique Nouvelle' suite with MEGHAS Flight Control Display System and active matrix liquid crystal displays.

There are four configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC635. The Troop Transport version can be fitted with utility seats to carry up to 7 troops with a pilot, or passenger seats to carry up to 6 people and a pilot. The Medical Evacuation version can carry 1 or 2 litters with up to 5 seated medical workers. The Cargo Transport version has 4.9 m³ (173.04 ft³) of space for cargo, while the Armed Mission version is equipped with specialist equipment and weapons for combat. The helicopter can also be fitted with a FLIR camera turret, an infra-red capable search light, SAR weather radar and electronic equipment for Observation Missions.

The EC635 can carry two side-mounted Multi-Purpose Pylons with aerodynamic fairings for weapons systems and can be fitted with the following military equipment and weapons:

* 2 x AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles mounted on each side
* 3 x Euromissile HOT anti-tank guided missiles mounted on each side
* 2 x 70mm (2.75") FN-Herstal FZ321 12-tube rocket launchers mounted on each side.
* 2 x 20mm GIAT [http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=82 NC621] Cannon Pods with 180 rounds each.
* 2 x 12.7mm FN-Herstal HMP-400 Machine Gun Pods with 400 rounds each.
* 7.62mm Door Gunner Post
* EADS [http://www.eads.com/1024/en/businet/defence/defelec/Produkte/helicopters/MILDS%20Copy/MILDS%20Copy.html MILDS AN/AAR-60] MIssile Launch Detection System
* Electro Chaff-Flare Dispenser System

Operational History

Variants

;EC635 P2 :Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 turbine engines.;EC635 T2 :Powered by two Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 turbine engines.;EC635 P2+ :With increased maximum take-off weight, useful load, maximum continuous power, take-off power and improved hot temperature/high-altitude performance.;EC635 T2+ :With increased maximum take-off weight, useful load, maximum continuous power, take-off power and improved hot temperature/high-altitude performance.

Operators

;JOR
* The Royal Jordanian Air Force operates 14 EC635 T2s for border surveillance, anti-terrorism operations, police and EMS missions. [ [http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=480 EADS N.V. - Royal Jordanian Air Force Places Order For An Additional Four EC635s] ] ;SUI
* 18 EC635 P2+ were ordered by the Swiss Air Force for transport and training missions. They are to be delivered between March 2008 and December 2009. [ [http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=480 Eurocopter Press Release - First Eurocopter EC635 For Swiss Air Force Takes To The Air] ] In September 2008, the Swiss arms procurement agency Armasuisse confirmed media reports that the aircraft delivered to Switzerland suffered from substantial construction deficiencies that made them prone to inflight instabilities. [cite news|url=http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/story/21145861|title=VBS-Flopp: Kippgefahr bei Helis|last=Capodici |first=Vincenzo|date=28 September 2008|publisher=Tages-Anzeiger web portal (Newsnetz)|language=German|accessdate=2008-09-28]

pecifications (EC 635 P2)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?= copter
jet or prop?= prop

crew=1 or 2 pilots
capacity= up to 7 passengers
length main= 10.21 m
length alt= 33.5 ft
span main= 10.20 m
span alt= 33.5 ft
height main= 3.62 m
height alt= 11.9 ft
area main= 81.7 m²
area alt= 880 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,467 kg
empty weight alt= 3,234 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main= 1,443 kg
useful load alt= 3,181 lb
max takeoff weight main= 2,910 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 6,415 lb
more general=

engine (prop)= Pratt & Whitney PW206B2
type of prop= turboshafts
number of props= 2
power main= 609 kW
power alt= 816 hp
power original=

max speed main= 278 km/h, 173 mph
max speed alt= 150 kts
cruise speed main= 261 km/h, 162 mph
cruise speed alt= 141 kts
never exceed speed main= 278 km/h, 173 mph
never exceed speed alt= 150 kts
range main= 650 km, 404 mi
range alt= 351 nm
ceiling main= 6,095 m
ceiling alt= 20,000 ft
climb rate main= 10.9 m/s
climb rate alt= 2,150 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=

pecifications (EC 635 T2)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?= copter
jet or prop?= prop

crew=1 or 2 pilots
capacity= up to 7 passengers
length main= 10.21 m
length alt= 33.5 ft
span main= 10.20 m
span alt= 33.5 ft
height main= 3.62 m
height alt= 11.9 ft
area main= 81.7 m²
area alt= 880 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,467 kg
empty weight alt= 3,234 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main= 1,443 kg
useful load alt= 3,181 lb
max takeoff weight main= 2,910 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 6,415 lb
more general=

engine (prop)= Turbomeca Arrius 2B2
type of prop= turboshafts
number of props= 2
power main= 609 kW
power alt= 816 hp
power original=

max speed main= 278 km/h
max speed alt= 150 kts
cruise speed main= 261 km/h
cruise speed alt= 141 kts
never exceed speed main= 278 km/h
never exceed speed alt= 150 kts
range main= 635 km
range alt= 343 nm
ceiling main= 6,095 m
ceiling alt= 20,000 ft
climb rate main= 10.9 m/s
climb rate alt= 2,150 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=

armament=The EC635 can carry two side-mounted Multi-Purpose Pylons with aerodynamic fairings for weapons systems and can be fitted with the following military equipment and weapons:

* 2 x AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles mounted on each side
* 3 x Euromissile HOT anti-tank guided missiles mounted on each side
* 2 x 70mm (2.75") FN-Herstal FZ321 12-tube rocket launchers mounted on each side.
* 2 x 20mm GIAT [http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=82 NC621] Cannon Pods with 180 rounds each.
* 2 x 12.7mm FN-Herstal HMP-400 Machine Gun Pods with 400 rounds each.
* 7.62mm Door Gunner Post
* EADS [http://www.eads.com/1024/en/businet/defence/defelec/Produkte/helicopters/MILDS%20Copy/MILDS%20Copy.html MILDS AN/AAR-60] MIssile Launch Detection System
* Electro Chaff-Flare Dispenser System

References

External links

* [http://www.eurocoptercanada.com/site/docs_wsw/RUB_38/td_ec635.pdf Eurocopter EC 635 Technical Data Manual]
* [http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ec_635/ Air Force Technology - Eurocopter EC 635]
* [http://www.deagel.com/Tactical-Support-Helicopters/EC635_a000165001.aspx Deagel.com - EC635]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/ec635.htm Federation of American Scientists - EC 635 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/ec635.htm Global Security.org - EC 635 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)]

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Bölkow Bo 105
* Eurocopter EC 135

similar aircraft=
* Bell 427
* Bell 429
* MD Helicopters MD Explorer

sequence=

lists=
* List of helicopters

see also=