Eurocopter EC155

{{Short description|Passenger transport helicopter}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = EC155<br />H155 | image = File:Eurocopter EC 155B1 Dauphin, Germany - Police JP7199794.jpg | caption = An Airbus Helicopters H155 with NRW Police (Germany) | type = Passenger transport [[helicopter]] | national_origin = Multinational | manufacturer = [[Eurocopter]]<br />[[Airbus Helicopters]] | designer = | first_flight = 17 June 1997 | introduction = March 1999 | retired = | status = Active | more_users = | produced = 1997–present | number_built = | developed_from = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] | variants = [[KAI LCH]] | developed_into = [[Eurocopter X³]] <br /> [[KAI LAH-1 Miron]] }}

The '''Airbus Helicopters H155''' (formerly '''Eurocopter EC155''') is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport [[helicopter]] developed by [[Eurocopter]] from its [[Eurocopter Dauphin|Dauphin]] family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport, offshore support, [[Very Important Person|VIP]] corporate transport and casualty transport duties. In 2015, the EC155 was formally renamed to the H155, in line with Eurocopter's corporate rebranding as [[Airbus Helicopters]].<ref>[http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/press/Meet-the-H-Generation_1713.html "VIDEO: Meet the H Generation."] ''Airbus Helicopters'', 3 March 2015.</ref> It was succeeded in the product line by the [[Airbus Helicopters H160]].

==Development==

Originally designated AS365 N4, the EC155 was developed from the [[Eurocopter Dauphin|Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2]] with the aim of significantly increasing the cabin space of the Dauphin. Development began in September 1996 with the helicopter officially announced by Eurocopter at the [[Paris Air Show]] in June 1997. The first EC155 helicopter, a modified [[Eurocopter Dauphin|Dauphin]] airframe, made its maiden flight at [[Marignane]] on 17 June 1997 and the first pre-production EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998. The aircraft received safety certification by the French and German civil aviation authorities on 11 December 1998 and went into production soon after.

In March 1999, deliveries of the EC155 B commenced, the [[German Federal Police]] became the first operator of the type. Between March 1999 and June 2003, roughly 50 EC155 Dauphins were sold, mainly to [[VIP]] and off-shore customers.<ref name = "ec155 power">[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2003/2003%20-%201232.html "Eurocopter may power up EC155 to boost sales."] ''Flight International'', 2 June 2003. p. 6.</ref>

The EC155 B1 was developed with uprated engines, giving it improved performance at high altitude and in hot temperature conditions; this derivative also features a higher maximum take-off weight (10,846 lb vs. 10,580 lb). Deliveries of this model began in November 2002 with the [[Government Flying Service (Hong Kong)|Hong Kong Government Flying Service]] becoming the first operator. In early 2003, Eurocopter completed studies for an even more powerful version of the EC155 B1, designed to better compete with new rotorcraft such as the [[AgustaWestland AW139]] and to better meet military customer's requirements.<ref name = "ec155 power"/>

Several major elements of the EC155, such its rotor system (albeit modified to operate at slower rotational speeds), were used in the [[Eurocopter X3]], an experimental high-speed compound helicopter which set an unofficial speed record of {{convert|255|kn|mph km/h}} in 2013.<ref name=nelms>Nelms, Douglas. "[http://aviationweek.com/awin/aviation-week-flies-eurocopter-s-x3 Aviation Week Flies Eurocopter's X3]" ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', 9 July 2012. Accessed: 10 May 2014. [http://aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_07_09_2012_p64-472797.xml Alternate link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011064023/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_07_09_2012_p64-472797.xml |date=11 October 2012 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20140510151240/http://aviationweek.com/awin/aviation-week-flies-eurocopter-s-x3 Archive]</ref><ref name=wired2013>Paur, Jason. "[https://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/06/eurocopter-x3-speed-record/ X3 Helicopter Sets Speed Record At Nearly 300 MPH]" ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'', 11 June 2013. Accessed: 17 June 2014. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140331110528/http://www.wired.com/2013/06/eurocopter-x3-speed-record/ Archived] on 31 March 2014</ref> In 2015, an EC155 was also used by Airbus Helicopters as a flying testbed for new aerodynamic features, such as the rotor blades, biplane stabilizer and canted fenestron, for the developing [[Airbus Helicopters H160]] helicopter.<ref name=osb1>{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/airbus-removes-veil-h160-project |title=Airbus Removes Veil From H160 Project |work=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] |first=Tony |last=Osborne |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=4 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304154118/http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/airbus-removes-veil-h160-project |archive-date=4 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:KAI LAH-1 Miron Armed Helicopter - 2.jpg|thumb|[[KAI LAH-1 Miron]] armed helicopter]]

In 2015, Airbus Helicopters and [[Korean Aerospace Industries]] (KAI) formed an agreement to transfer principle manufacturing activity for the EC155 to [[South Korea]]; KAI shall become the sole manufacturer of the type after 2018, and both firms shall be jointly involved in the international marketing and further development of the type. The EC155 is to serve as the basis for KAI's [[KAI LCH|Light Civil Helicopter (LCH)]] and [[KAI LAH|Light Armed Helicopter (LAH)]], featuring numerous changes including a new cockpit, improved gearbox and rotor blades; the LAH shall have a chin-mounted 20 mm cannon and side-mounted guided rockets, countermeasures systems, and be able to carry 6–10 combat troops. The LCH is to enter service in 2020, and the LAH will follow in 2022 to replace the [[MD 500 Defender]] and [[AH-1 SuperCobra|AH-1J/S Cobra]]. Airbus foresees a South Korean demand for 100 LCHs and 214 LAHs, and estimates an international market of 300–400 LAH versions to replace legacy attack helicopters.<ref name = "flight kai pics">Waldron, Greg. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-kai-signs-key-lchlah-contracts-414015/ "PICTURES: KAI signs key LCH/LAH contracts."] ''Flight International'', 25 June 2015.</ref><ref>Waldron, Greg.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/adex-airbus-helicopters-eyes-international-market-418130/ "ADEX: Airbus Helicopters eyes international market for LAH."] ''Flight International'', 23 October 2015</ref>

==Design== [[File:EC155 B1.jpg|thumb|right|EC155 B1 of [[Kingfisher Airlines]] in India]]

The EC155 B features a completely redesigned cabin providing 30% more passenger space than previous [[Eurocopter Dauphin|Dauphin]] helicopter models, plus a 130% increase in baggage hold volume. Other major improvements include a five-blade Spheriflex [[Composite material|composite]] main rotor combined with the familiar shrouded [[Fenestron]] [[tail rotor]] to reduce vibration levels significantly. The EC155 B is powered by two 635 kW (851 shp) [[Turbomeca]] [[Turboméca Arriel|Arriel 2C1]] [[turboshaft]] engines which feature a dual-channel [[FADEC|Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)]] system. The EC155 B1 features uprated 697 kW (935 shp) Arriel 2C2s. The helicopter can be fitted with an [[Deicing|anti-icing]] system to enable the aircraft to operate in very cold climates. The [[Glass cockpit|all-glass cockpit]] is equipped with an 'Avionique Nouvelle' integrated digital flight control system featuring Eurocopter's Vehicle and Engine Management Display (VEMD), which utilizes [[Active-matrix liquid crystal display|active matrix liquid crystal displays]]. The EC155 is also equipped with a four-axis digital autopilot, coupled to the engine FADECs for full-envelope protection, and is offered with a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).<ref>Gray 2000, pp. 48–49.</ref>

Eurocopter designed the EC155 originally with three configurations, however, another two configurations were added in 2005. The Passenger Transport version can carry 12 passengers in comfort seats or 13 passengers in utility seats, along with 1 or 2 crew. The [[Very Important Person|VIP]] or Corporate Transport version has a VIP lounge with working space accommodating up to 8 executives. The Casualty Transport version can carry 2 stretchered patients with up to 4 seated medical staff, or 4 patients on stretchers plus 2 seated medical staff. The configurations added in 2005 were for offshore operation and police and parapublic missions ranging from patrol, airborne surveillance, [[Search and rescue|SAR]] and [[Emergency medical services|EMS]], the helicopter being fitted with specific mission equipment for these duties.<ref name ="gray 48">Gray 2000, p. 48.</ref>

==Variants==

* '''EC155''' – The first [[prototype]], built from modifying an existing [[Eurocopter Dauphin|Dauphin]] airframe. * '''EC155 B''' – The first production version, powered by two [[Turbomeca]] [[Turboméca Arriel|Arriel 2C1]] [[turboshaft]] engines. * '''EC155 B1''' – An uprated model equipped with two [[Turbomeca]] [[Turboméca Arriel|Arriel 2C2]] [[turboshaft]] engines and higher M.T.O.W., offering enhanced [[hot and high]] performance * '''AS565 UC''' – Designation of early military derivative study * '''[[KAI LAH|LCH/LAH]]''' – Improved type development by [[Korea Aerospace Industries]]. The LCH will enter service in 2020, and the LAH in 2022.<ref name = "flight kai pics"/><ref>Waldron, Greg. [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-helicopters-to-work-with-kai-on-lchlah-programme-410183/ "Airbus Helicopters to work with KAI on LCH/LAH programme."] ''Flight International'', 16 March 2015.</ref>

==Operators==

[[File:Eurocopter EC 155 B r.jpg|thumb|right|An EC155 of the German [[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]]] The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies and charter operators. It is also operated by government organisations and as an offshore transport for the gas and oil industry. ;{{Flag|China}} *[[Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://helihub.com/2011/11/29/shanghai-targets-city-fleet-of-15-helicopters-by-2020/ |title= Shanghai targets city fleet of 15 helicopters by 2020|date= 29 November 2011|publisher= helihub.com |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/China---Police/Eurocopter-EC-155B/2105903/L/&sid=9db22855b6e2a88fbc97dd9a80a4e79a|title= Eurocopter EC-155B Aircraft |publisher=Copyright 2012 Demand Media, Inc |access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> ;{{DOM}} * [[Dominican Republic Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dominicanavuela.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/fad-01-historia-de-la-flota-aerea-presidencial-dominicana/|title=– FAD 01: historia de la flota aerea presidencial dominicana (in Spanish)|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031410/https://dominicanavuela.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/fad-01-historia-de-la-flota-aerea-presidencial-dominicana/|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> ;{{Flag|Germany}} *[[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://helihub.com/2012/06/27/last-two-of-twenty-ec155s-handed-over-to-german-federal-police/ |title= Last two of twenty EC155s handed over to German Federal Police |date= 27 June 2012 |publisher= helihub.com |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Bundespolizei/Eurocopter-EC-155B/2169472/L/&sid=9db22855b6e2a88fbc97dd9a80a4e79a|title= Eurocopter EC-155B Aircraft |publisher=Copyright 2012 Demand Media, Inc |access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> *NRW Police ;{{GRL}} * [[Air Greenland]] [[File:Hong Kong Government Flying Service Eurocopter EC-155B-1; B-HRU@HKG;04.08.2011 (6260084063).jpg|thumb|An EC155, operated by the [[Government Flying Service (Hong Kong)|Hong Kong Government Flying Service]]]] ;{{Flag|Hong Kong}} *[[Government Flying Service (Hong Kong)|Government Flying Service]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/ec155/|title= Eurocopter EC 155 |publisher= aerospace-technology.com |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airliners.net/photo/Hong-Kong-Government/Eurocopter-EC-155B-1/1959818/L/&sid=07ed85b1e712006b8e0a7d3f0bc86dad |title= Hong Kong Government Flying Service EC155 |publisher=Demand media |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref> ;{{Flag|Thailand}} *[[Royal Thai Police]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://helihub.com/2011/02/12/royal-thai-police-takes-delivery-of-three-ec155s/|title= Royal Thai Police takes delivery of three EC155s |date= 12 February 2011 |publisher= helihub.com |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref> ;{{Flag|United States}} *[[University of Michigan Health System|University of Michigan Survival Flight]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.propilotmag.com/archives/2012/October%2012/A2_Michigan_p1.html |title=University of Michigan's 3 EC155s set new standards |publisher=propilotmag.com |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301082730/http://www.propilotmag.com/archives/2012/October%2012/A2_Michigan_p1.html |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *[[University of Florida Health|University of Florida ShandsCair]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mygtn.tv/story/25655517/uf-health-unveils-advanced-shandscair-helicopter |title=UF Health Unveils Advanced ShandsCair Helicopter |publisher=mygtn.com |access-date=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705083332/http://www.mygtn.tv/story/25655517/uf-health-unveils-advanced-shandscair-helicopter |archive-date=5 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ;{{VIE}} * [[Vietnam Helicopter Corporation]]

==Specifications (EC155 B1)== [[File:Eurocopter EC155 orthographical image.svg|right|300px|class=skin-invert]]

{{Aircraft specs |ref= {Eurocopter.com}<ref name="EC155B1">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/ref/Characteristics_105.html|title=EC155B1|publisher=eurocopter.com|access-date=21 April 2012|location=France|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418105241/http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/ref/Characteristics_105.html|archive-date=18 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://airbushelicoptersinc.com/products/ec155-specifications.asp|title=Airbus Helicopters, Inc. - H155 (formerly known as EC155) specifications|last=Nicolas|website=airbushelicoptersinc.com|access-date=17 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714175221/http://airbushelicoptersinc.com/products/ec155-specifications.asp|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> |prime units?=met  |crew=1 or 2 (pilots) |capacity=13 passengers or {{convert|2301|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} payload |length m=14.3 |height m=4.35 |empty weight kg=2,618 |gross weight kg=4,950 |max takeoff weight kg=4,920  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=[[Turbomeca Arriel|Turbomeca Arriel 2C2]] |eng1 type=turboshaft engines, Take-off Power |eng1 kw=697

|rot number=1 |rot dia m=12.6 |rot area sqm=124.7

|never exceed speed kmh=324 |range km=857 |ferry range km=985 |ceiling m=4,572 |climb rate ms=8.9 }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}} {{Aircontent |related= * [[Aérospatiale SA 360 Dauphin]] * [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] * [[Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin]] * [[Eurocopter AS565 Panther]] * [[Eurocopter X3]] * [[KAI LAH-1 Miron]] * [[KAI LCH]] |similar aircraft= * [[Harbin Z-9]] * [[Kamov Ka-60]] * [[AgustaWestland AW139]] * [[Bell 430]] * [[Sikorsky S-76]] * [[TAI T625]] * [[HAL Dhruv]] * [[HAL Rudra]]

|lists= * [[List of rotorcraft]] |see also= }}

==References==

===Citations=== {{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * Gray, Peter. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000%20-%200130.html?search=AS365 Dauphin "Bigger and Better."] ''Flight International'', January 2000. pp. 48–51. {{refend}}

==External links== * [http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/ref/H155_35.html Airbus Helicopters H155 Official Site] {{Commons category}}

[[Category:Airbus Helicopters aircraft]] [[Category:1990s French civil utility aircraft]] [[Category:1990s French helicopters]] [[Category:Search and rescue helicopters]] [[Category:Twin-turbine helicopters]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1997]] [[Category:Fantail helicopters]]