Eurocopter EC145 Specs, Interior, Cockpit, and Price

Eurocopter EC145 Specs, Interior, Cockpit, and Price – EC145 is a multi-role helicopter designed jointly developed by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopter) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan. This helicopter is a development of the MBB/ Kawasaki BK 117 C-1 with increased takeoff weight and cabin volume. The helicopter was designated as BK 117 C-2 in Japan.

The EC145 helicopter made its first flight in 1999. The helicopter can be used for a number of missions including search and rescue, police and federal roles, surveillance, fire fighting, mobile command center, cargo, passenger and VIP transportation, search and rescue (SAR), evacuation offshore medical, training and support.

Eurocopter EC145 Specs

The EC145 helicopter was developed as a modified version of the BK 117 multi-role helicopter but with a substantially increased cabin volume, an increase in lift weight of 150 kg and an increase in range of 25%. Increased weight and maximum take-off range is mainly achieved through the installation of a new airfoil blade. Meanwhile the helicopter tailboom is attached to the engine deck and the engine deck is above the roof of the cargo compartment. The dimensions of the helicopter include a length of 13.01 m and a height of 3.45 m. The helicopter has an empty weight of 1,792 kg and a gross weight of 3,585 kg.

Eurocopter EC145 Engine and Performance

The EC145 helicopter is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines, each of which produces a maximum continuous power of 516 kW. The helicopter is equipped with four flexible bladder tanks installed in the fuel compartment under the cabin floor. The fuel capacity is 757 liters which gives the helicopter a range of up to 680 km and has a mission endurance of 3 hours 25 minutes with a spare 30 minutes. The helicopter can fly with a maximum cruise speed of 245 km / h.

Eurocopter EC145 Cabin and Interior

The EC145 cabin can be configured for eight passengers in standard 323 settings or up to 11 passengers for high density operations. The cabin is equipped with a Martin-Baker Aircraft passenger seat. The helicopter has cabin, cockpit and cargo compartments with flat floors to provide a spacious and easily reconfigured cabin. This cabin is almost 46 cm longer and 13 cm wider than BK 117 helicopters.

In the SAR role, the EC145 cabin can be equipped with a rescue hoist with a variable winch speed and 90 m cable, rated at a load of 270 kg. It can also be equipped with an external cargo hook having a rating of 1,500 kg. In the role of medical evacuation, helicopters can carry two stretcher patients, a team consisting of six medical officers and medical equipment.

Eurocopter EC145 Cockpit and Avionics

The EC145 cockpit is integrated with the Meghas Thales Avionics Megales avionics all glass with a dual four-axis digital autopilot and is configured for the operation of dual or single pilot Flight Rules (IFR) instruments. Meghas is part of the Thales suite 'Avionique Nouvelle' which is used in modular form on Eurocopter EC120 and EC155 helicopters. The cockpit is compatible with ITT F949 night vision goggles or Nogalight NL-93 NVGs.

The EC145 avionics suite has two main display systems. The Central Panel Display System (CPDS) consists of a Vehicle and Engine Management Display (VEMD) with two active matrix liquid crystal displays and a Caution and Advisory Display (CAD) for alarms and fuel management with one active matrix liquid crystal liquid display.

The flight control display system consists of four SMD45H 4in x 5in multifunctional smart LCDs for navigation and flight control. This is controlled by a Pelican modular rack with modules adapted to the application. Thales Avionics also provides primary air data references (3000 ADU air data units and temperature probes), as well as control panels.

SFIM Industries (now SAGEM) developed an automatic flight control system that included the Attitude and Post Reference System (AHRS). The EC145 helicopter can also be equipped with the EADS HELLAS obstacle warning system. HELLAS is based on laser radar that protects the eye.

EC145 helicopters operating with the Georgian government for VIP transportation are being equipped with EADS Defense Electronics Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS), which includes MILDS warner missile warner and countermeasures dispensers.

In the police air support role, the EC145 mission system includes the Wescam MX-15 electro-optical surveillance system, SkyQuest touch screen video management system and Gigawave digital video links, enabling helicopters to be used as command and incident control platforms.

Eurocopter EC145 Price

The price of an EC145 helicopter is around US $ 8.7 million. To date more than 1,500 have been produced and operate with various operators throughout the world.