Airbus Helicopters

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Airbus Helicopters SAS
Company type Division
Industry Aerospace
Founded1992;32 years ago (1992)
Founder Aérospatiale
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Headquarters Marseille Provence Airport
Marignane, France
Key people
Bruno Even (CEO) [1]
Products
RevenueIncrease2.svg 6.5 billion (2021) [2]
Increase2.svg€535 million (2021) [2]
Number of employees
20,126 (2021) [2]
Parent Airbus
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Airbus Helicopters SAS (formerly Eurocopter S.A., trading as Eurocopter Group) is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus. It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries, holding 48% of the worldwide market share as of 2020. [3] Its head office is located at Marseille Provence Airport in Marignane, France, near Marseille. [4] The main facilities of Airbus Helicopters are at its headquarters in Marignane, France, and in Donauwörth, Germany, with additional production plants in Spain, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company, originally named Eurocopter, was rebranded Airbus Helicopters on 2 January 2014. [5]

Contents

History

Airbus Helicopters was formed in 1992 as Eurocopter S.A., through the merger of the helicopter divisions of Aérospatiale and DASA. The company's heritage traces back to Blériot and Lioré et Olivier in France and to Messerschmitt and Focke-Wulf in Germany. [6] Aérospatiale held 33% of the world's helicopter market share prior to the merger and DASA, 8%; Eurocopter's ownership was therefore split 70%–30% between the two parent companies to reflect their respective weight in the new entity. [7] [8] [9]

Eurocopter and its predecessor companies have established a wide range of helicopter firsts, including the first production turboshaft-powered helicopter (the Aérospatiale Alouette II of 1955); the introduction of the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor (on the Gazelle of 1968); the first helicopter certified for full flight in icing conditions (the AS332 Super Puma, in 1984); the first production helicopter with a Fly-by-wire control system (the NHIndustries NH90, first flown in full FBW mode in 2003); the first helicopter to use a Fly-by-light primary control system (an EC135 testbed, first flown in 2003); and the first ever landing of a helicopter on Mount Everest (achieved by an AS350 B3 in 2005). [10] [11] [12]

As a result of the merger of Aérospatiale and DASA in 2000, which founded Airbus, Eurocopter, now rebranded Airbus Helicopters, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus. The new aerospace corporation in 2000 also incorporated CASA of Spain, which itself had a history of helicopter-related activities dating back to Talleres Loring, including local assembly of the Bo105.

Today, Airbus Helicopters has four main plants in Europe (Marignane and La Courneuve in France, and Donauwörth and Kassel in Germany), plus 32 subsidiaries and participants around the world, including those in Fort Erie Canada, Brisbane, Australia, Albacete, Spain and Grand Prairie, USA. [13] [14]

Since approximately 2006, Eurocopter has been involved in the planning for the proposed pan-European Future Transport Helicopter project. [15]

As of 2014, more than 12,000 Airbus Helicopters were in service with over 3,000 customers in around 150 countries. [16] Eurocopter became Airbus Helicopter at the start of 2014. [17]

Eurocopter sold 422 helicopters in 2013 and delivered 497 helicopters that year. [18] In 2014, AH built a concrete cylinder for testing helicopters before first flight. [19]

In December 2022, it was announced Airbus Helicopters has acquired the Kassel-Calden-headquartered gearbox and component supplier, ZF Luftfahrttechnik from ZF Friedrichshafen for an undisclosed amount. The business will be rebranded as Airbus Helicopters Technik. [20]

In May 2024, Airbus Helicopters signed a MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to finance civil helicopter purchases in India. [21] [22]

Dec 1970Jan 1992July 2000Sep 2000Jan 2001Dec 2006Apr 2009Sep 2010Jan 2014May 2015Jan 2017Apr 2017
   European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company NV Airbus Group NV Airbus Group SE Airbus SE   
Airbus Industrie GIE Airbus SAS    
  Airbus Military SAS Airbus Defence and Space SAS   
   EADS Defence and Security Cassidian SAS
   Astrium SAS EADS Astrium SAS
  Eurocopter SA Eurocopter SAS Airbus Helicopters SAS   
            

Historical emblems

Historical emblems of the company:

Products

Some of the helicopters were renamed in 2015, resembling Airbus airplane naming. [24] When the division changed its name from Eurocopter Group to Airbus Helicopters in 2014 the trade names of the products were changed (applied by 1 January 2016) to reflect this. Suffixes, as well as the differentiation for single or twin engines, were no longer to be used. Military versions were to be symbolized by the letter M. The only exceptions to this new branding were the AS365, the AS565, the Tiger and the NH90, which will keep their current names. [25]

NameTypeThumbnailIntroduced MTOW
t (lb)
H125 Light single-engine Airbus H125 - Los Angeles Police Department Air Support (cropped).jpg 19752.25 (5,000)
H130 Light single-engine Eurocopter 130 SP-MTB 3 (modified).jpg 20012.5 (5,500)
H135 Light twin-engine EC-135 - RIAT 2011 (6199185182).jpg 19962.98 (6,600)
H145 Light twin-engine Stanford EC145.jpg 20023.7 (8,200)
H155 Medium twin-engine Hong Kong Government Flying Service Eurocopter EC-155B-1; B-HRU@HKG;04.08.2011 (6260084063).jpg 19994.92 (10,800)
H160 Medium twin-engine Airbus Helicopters H160 (cropped).jpg 20196.05 (13,300)
H175 Super medium twin-engine H175M (52272090596).jpg 20147.8 (17,000)
H215 Heavy twin-engine AS332M1 Super Puma - RIAT 2014 (center).jpg 19809.15 (20,200)
H225 Heavy twin-engine Airbus Helicopters H225 Super Puma Helimer 401 (cropped).jpg 200411.2 (25,000)
NH90 [a] Military utility twin-engine 78+29 German Army NHIndustries NH90 TTH ILA Berlin 2016 19.jpg 200610.6 (23,000)
Tiger Military attack twin-engine Eurocopter EC-665 Tiger UHT (crooped).jpg 20036.6 (15,000)

Projects

See also

Comparable major helicopter manufacturers:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aérospatiale</span> French aerospace manufacturer from 1970 to 1999

Aérospatiale was a major French state-owned aerospace and defence corporation. It was founded in 1970 as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale through the merger of three established state-owned companies: Sud Aviation, Nord Aviation and SEREB. The company was headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DASA</span> 1989–2000 German aerospace manufacturer

DASA was a German aerospace manufacturer.

Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) was a West German aerospace manufacturer. It was formed during the late 1960s as the result of efforts to consolidate the West German aerospace industry; aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt AG merged with the civil engineering and aviation firm Bölkow in 1968, while rival aircraft manufacturer Hamburger Flugzeugbau was acquired by the company in the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin</span> Multi-role helicopter family by Aérospatiale

The EurocopterAS365 Dauphin (Dolphin), also formerly known as the Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2, is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. It was originally developed and manufactured by French firm Aérospatiale, which was merged into the multinational Eurocopter company during the 1990s, and since 2014 Eurocopter was renamed Airbus Helicopters. Since entering production in 1975, the type has been in continuous production for more than 40 years, with the last delivery in 2021. The intended successor to the Dauphin is the Airbus Helicopters H160, which entered operational service in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHIndustries NH90</span> Family of military helicopters

The NHIndustries NH90 is a European medium-sized, twin-engine, multirole military helicopter. It was the first production helicopter to feature entirely fly-by-wire flight controls. There is extensive use of composite materials and electronic sensors. The helicopter has two main versions, the TTH oriented towards land applications and the NFH, oriented towards naval use and focused on such tasks as ASW and marine SAR. Over 500 have been produced for a dozen users, and it remains in production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHIndustries</span> European helicopter manufacturer

NHIndustries (NHI) is a helicopter manufacturing company specifically established to be NATO Helicopter Management Agency's prime contractor for the design and development, industrialisation, production and logistic support of the NHIndustries NH90 series of helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS532 Cougar</span> Utility helicopter

The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter developed by Eurocopter. The AS532 is a development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma in its militarized form. Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma. The AS532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC725.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS565 Panther</span> Military utility helicopter

The EurocopterAS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC120 Colibri</span> Utility helicopter

The EurocopterEC120 Colibri ("hummingbird") is a five-seat, single-engine, light utility helicopter. Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), Harbin Aviation Industries (Group) Ltd (HAIG) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAero) at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, the EC120B was assembled by Eurocopter in France and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma</span> Medium-lift helicopter series by Aerospatiale, later Airbus Helicopters

The Airbus Helicopters H215 is a four-bladed, twin-engined, medium-sized, utility helicopter developed and initially produced by French aerospace company Aérospatiale. It has been subsequently manufactured by the successor companies Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters. The Super Puma is a re-engined and more voluminous version of the original Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil</span> Single engine series of the Ecureuil light helicopter family

The Airbus Helicopters H125 is a single-engine light utility helicopter designed and originally manufactured by the French corporation Aérospatiale, and later by Eurocopter. In North America, the H125 is marketed as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC145</span> Twin-engine light utility helicopter

The Airbus Helicopters H145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. Originally designated as the BK 117, the H145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, which became a part of the combined Eurocopter line-up in 1992 with the merger of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm's helicopter division of Daimler-Benz into Eurocopter. The helicopter was initially named EC145; an updated version, EC145 T2, was renamed H145 in 2015. The helicopter was significantly updated in the 2020s with first a fenestron replacing the traditional tail rotor, followed later by a 5-blade main rotor head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC130</span> Single-engine light helicopter

The Airbus Helicopters H130 is a single engine light utility helicopter developed from the earlier Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, one of the primary changes from which was the adoption of a Fenestron anti-torque device in place of a conventional tail rotor. It was launched and produced by the Eurocopter Group, which would later be rebranded as Airbus Helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2</span> Utility helicopter in France

The EurocopterAS355 Écureuil 2 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and originally manufactured by Aérospatiale in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC155</span> Passenger transport helicopter

The Airbus Helicopters H155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from its 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, 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. It was succeeded in the product line by the Airbus Helicopters H160.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma</span> Largest Civilian Rotorcraft Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters

The Airbus Helicopters H225 is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter as the next generation of the civilian Super Puma family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with two crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC725</span> Military medium-lift helicopter

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar for military use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 28 seated troops along with two crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties, and is similar to the civilian EC225 Super Puma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airbus Helicopters H175</span> Medium utility helicopter

The Airbus Helicopters H175 is a 7-ton class super-medium utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. In China, the H175 is produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as the Avicopter AC352. Originally launched as the Eurocopter EC175 and the Harbin Z-15, it has been referred to as being a 'super-medium' helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airbus Helicopters H160</span> Type of aircraft

The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a medium utility helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters. Formally launched at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida on 3 March 2015, it is intended to replace the AS365 and EC155 models in the firm's lineup. In June 2015, the first test flight took place. It received its EASA type certification in July 2020, and first deliveries were in December 2021.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 "2021 Financial Statements" (PDF). Airbus IR. pp. 25, 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  3. "Market share of the leading helicopter manufacturers worldwide in 2020". 15 July 2022.
  4. "Legal Notice and Disclaimer Archived 12 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine ." Airbus Helicopters. Retrieved on 24 January 2014. "[...]whose registered Office is located Aéroport International Marseille-Provence – 13725 Marignane Cedex – France"
  5. Sheppard, Ian (1 August 2013). "Eurocopter To Be Renamed Airbus Helicopter". AINonline. AIN Publications. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
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  7. "L'Aérospatiale détiendra 70% d'Eurocopter". lesechos.fr. 5 December 1991.
  8. "Eurocopter: 35 heures sans foi, sans loi. L'accord est dans la logique de l'entreprise, mais n'enthousiasme personne". liberation.fr. 9 April 1998.
  9. "Une année 1998 record pour l'activité d'Aérospatiale". humanite.fr. 14 January 1999.
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  15. "Rüstung: EU beschließt Bau von Helikopter" (in German). Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
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  20. Perry, Dominic (3 January 2023). "Airbus completes acquisition of gearbox supplier ZF Luftfahrttechnik". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  21. "SIDBI Takes Flight: Signs MoU with Airbus Helicopters to Finance Civil Aviation in India". Bru Times News.
  22. "Airbus Helicopters and SIDBI sign an MoU for helicopter financing in India". The Times of India. 24 May 2024.
  23. "Flying as one: Fully integrated Airbus takes off". Airbus. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  24. "Airbus renames fleet". Vertical Magazine. April 2015. p. 36. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  25. "History is written with an HI160" (PDF). www.airbushelicopters.com. March 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  26. "Eurocopter's X3 hybrid helicopter makes aviation history in achieving a speed milestone of 255 knots during level flight". Archived from the original on 27 May 2014.
  27. "PARIS: Airbus Helicopters launches X6 concept phase". 16 June 2015.
  28. "Airbus Helicopters launches X6 concept phase, setting the standard for the future in heavy-lift rotorcraft". www.airbushelicopters.com. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2016.

Note

  1. via 62.5% share in NHIndustries joint venture