Airbus Helicopters presents a new version of the H145, its popular light twin-engine helicopter, at the fair Heli-Expo 2019 held in Atlanta. Exhibited at the Airbus booth, this updated version of the multi-mission helicopter features an innovative five-blade rotor, has an increased payload of 150 kg and offers new levels of comfort, simplicity and connectivity.
The new five-blade rotor of the H145 allows a significant increase in overall performance, bringing the maximum take-off weight to 3.800 kg and presents an increase in its payload, now equivalent to the weight of the vacuum aircraft. The simplicity of the design of the new main rotor without bearings will also facilitate maintenance operations, further increasing the efficiency and reliability of the H145 and improving comfort levels for both passengers and crew. The reduced diameter of the rotor will also allow the H145 to operate in smaller areas.
The new H145 offers customers and operators new levels of on-board connectivity, thanks to the integration of the wireless communication system wACS (wireless Airborne Communication System), which ensures the continuous and secure transmission of data generated by the helicopter in real time, even during the flight.
The EASA certification of the new H145 is scheduled for the beginning of the 2020, with the first deliveries to follow during the year. This upgrade will be offered as a retrofit option to current H145 customers too, in order to offer the aircraft in service the same improvements in terms of payload, simplified maintenance and comfort.
Equipped with two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with a complete digital engine control system (full authority digital engine control - FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It also includes a high performance 4 axis autopilot, which increases security and reduces pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.
