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2016-12-04

Demanding combat conditions require reliability and durability

H225M: Combat Proven Multi-Role Helicopter sets a new standard

Airbus Helicopters H225M, the latest member of Airbus Helicopters’ military Super Puma/Cougar family, is designed for the most demanding missions.

The H225M’s reliability has been demonstrated in combat conditions and crisis areas, including Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Somalia and Mali, while also supporting NATO-led operations in Libya. France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand also rely upon the H225M to support their most demanding missions.

The H225M excels in a full range of military missions such as special operations, combat search and rescue, tactical transport, casualty / medical evacuation as well as in public service missions such as search and rescue, firefighting, coast guard and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) protection.

Previously named the EC725, Airbus Helicopters H225M operates both from ships and from land, even in icing conditions. It has an all-weather capability supported by state-of-the-art night vision compatibility.

The helicopter’s 700 nautical mile range is extended with air-to-air refuelling, which can be performed while in forward flight and during hover.

Powered by two latest-generation engines, the H225M’s five-blade rotor provides an exceptionally low vibration level, and the modular design of rotor mechanical assemblies allows for easier maintenance.

H225M’s New Customer

“We are greatly honoured that Singapore has selected the H225M as its next-generation Medium Lift Helicopter,” said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, after the recent signing of a contract with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the acquisition of the H225M - Medium Lift Helicopters.

“The Super Puma has served Singapore well for the last 30 years. The addition of the H225M to the RSAF fleet will bring a step change in capabilities thanks to a proven, versatile and extremely modern platform, that is able to cope with the most challenging missions.”

Furthermore, more than 500 units have been delivered worldwide. Singapore is the latest nation to order the H225M, after France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Kuwait.

Mission capabilities

Special Ops, Combat SAR and Personal Recovery missions require performance, precise navigation and survivability, for which the H225M has proved its reliability.

The French Forces are successfully operating the H225M in the harshest environments.

The aircraft is ready to operate in all environments, including in fully iced conditions or in sandy or maritime environments. It has outstanding range; 700 NM without refuelling, air-to-air refuelling capability, Hover In-Flight Refuelling (HIFR), Cabin versatility and easy and fast recovery systems.

Plus, a plug and play weapon system allows it to turn a regular aircraft into a light attack helicopter.

The H225M has been designed to comply with the latest CS 29 amendments.

Thanks to the dual-channel FADEC, the TURBOMECA MAKILA 2A1 turboshaft engines deliver more power. The 5-blade Spheriflex rotor provides an exceptionally low vibration level, and the modular design of the mechanical assemblies allows for easier maintenance. The First Limit Indicator displays the available power in any condition and the power margin in All Engines Operatives (AEO) and One Engine Inoperative (OEI) situations.

The H225M is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and integrated communication systems. The systems reduce crew workload while enhancing mission capability for more safety. At a glance, pilots have all navigation and piloting data.

Enhancing safety

The H225M is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and communication systems that reduce crew workload while enhancing mission capability and safety. Airbus Helicopters has incorporated significant advances in terms of man-machine interface, ensuring the most important information arrives to the pilot for the most effective decision-making process.

The flight crew has at their fingertips all navigation and piloting data from the electronic flight instruments in the glass cockpit, including dual-channel full-authority digital engine control for the H225M’s two Turbomeca turboshaft engines.

Airbus Helicopters’ renowned 4-axis, dual-duplex autopilot provides precision and stability and enables flight in search and rescue patterns as well as automatic approaches in instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures.

Unrivalled redundancy is provided in key on-board systems to maintain full functionality, including the dual-duplex Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), dual-engine full authority digital engine control (FADEC) with backup; five LCD electronic flight instruments; and two Vehicle Monitoring Displays, among other features.

Using the proven military heritage of Airbus Helicopters’ Puma and Super Puma rotorcraft, the H225M was conceived with survivability in mind. Its airframe has reinforced structural main frames and is equipped with high energy-absorbing landing gear, along with self-sealing and crashworthy fuel tanks.

Cockpit protection is provided by armoured and energy-absorbing crew seats, while the cabin can be equipped with armour plating in the floors and walls or fitted with armour-plated carpets. The rotor blades’ multi-box construction enhances their resistance to bullet impacts.

Contributing to the H225M’s survivability is a radar warning receiver, missile approach warning system, and chaff/flare dispensers. The engine exhausts can be fitted with infrared suppressors, with protection against sand and ice provided by inlet design and with installable filters.

Strong “Punch”

The H225M carries a strong “punch” when called on, ready for everything from front-line missions to critical logistics support. Qualified armament includes a 7.62 mm machine gun in the forward cabin windows; along with 180-round 20 mm gun pods and 19-tube 2.75-in. rocket launchers.

Included in the mission avionics are a flight management system with Doppler, GPS satellite navigation and SAR (search and rescue) modes; a digital moving map; a personal locator system; a loud speaker and a searchlight, among others.

From home base to the most remote locations, Airbus Helicopters conceived the H225M with maintainability in mind. The Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines are of modular design for easy maintenance, and Airbus Helicopters’ Spheriflex fiberglass main rotor head is easy to adjust. The airframe includes a built-in step to access the engines. Overall maintenance information is provided through the integrated HUMS (Health Usage Monitoring System).

The high load capacity and easy cabin access of the H225M, combined with fast cruise speed, long range and in-flight agility make this aircraft the perfect tactical transport helicopter for troops and cargo.

For cargo transport missions, the H225M’s high-density cabin floor accommodates a sizeable internal load, while the maximum external load sling capacity is 4,750 kg.

Search and rescue

Search and rescue (SAR) missions require a fast, high-performance helicopter able to function in all weather conditions. Able to take off in less than five minutes, followed by high-speed cruise, the H225M reaches the scene rapidly, and is ready for a quick return to base when the assignment is completed.

Its low vibration levels provide an excellent environment for crew and passengers – which is important for concentration and mission readiness – while also reducing airframe and equipment fatigue.

The radius of action of more than 300 nautical miles is extendable by refuelling during flight or in hover – giving the reach needed on long-range missions or during prolonged SAR operations.

Furthermore, the high load capacity and easy cabin access, combined with fast cruise speed, long range and in-flight agility make this aircraft well suited for medical evacuation and casualty evacuation duties (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC). Up to 11 stretchers and five attendants can be installed. Another possibility is the transport of two self-contained medical units with attendants.

Service solutions

To contribute to helicopters’ availability optimisation, Airbus Helicopters has put at operators’ disposal a robust worldwide-spread support and a wide choice of services that have been elaborated according to customers’ operational return of experience from the field.

The material management offer includes: HCare Easy: On-catalogue services; HCare Smart: Contractual By-the-Hour programs and HCare Infinite: Complete support solutions.

Their global distribution network, composed of logistics platforms, regional and local inventories, ensures efficient and cost-effective deliveries anywhere, anytime.

The Customer Centres manage customer relation on a daily basis, and answer to any operators’ request to make sure customers get the full benefit.

Airbus Helicopters team of more than 150 qualified tech representatives provides on-site technical assistance, and perform On-the-Job Training to operators’ technicians for first-class maintenance operations.

Training centres

To optimise flight and maintenance operations, Airbus Helicopters offer local Training Centres with state-of-the-art means such as Full Flight Simulators (FFS) or Flight Navigation.

Furthermore, pilots’ proficiency can be enhanced within the flight environment thanks to pilots’ accompaniment and mission operational courses performed on-site.

Airbus Helicopters through its Connected Services opens a new way of interacting with its customers. Such solutions pave the way to faster and easier data exchange between the helicopter manufacturer and operators.

This exchange contributes to continuously improving the support and performance of helicopters.

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