Eurocopter EC135

The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter GmbH. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) and is outfitted with digital flight controls. It entered service in 1996; over a thousand aircraft have been produced to date. It is widely used by police and ambulance services and for executive transport; by 2013, more than 500 EC135s were providing helicopter emergency medical services across the world. While the EC135 is primarily used by civil operators, a combat-capable military-orientated variant of the EC135, designated as the Eurocopter EC635, has also been produced.

Variants

 * EC135 P1: Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B (ratings correspond to Take-Off Power (TOP)). Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
 * EC135 T1: Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp)(TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial MTOW of 2,630 kg (5,798 lbs), later raised to 2,720 kg (5,997 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
 * EC135 P2: Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) (TOP rating) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.
 * EC135 P2+ (Marketing name EC135 P2i): Latest current production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) MTOW upgrade, extended component time between overhaul (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain.
 * EC135 P2+ (Marketing name EC135 P2e): Marketing designation of aircraft with increased MTOW of 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs) within restricted flight envelope.
 * EC135 T2: Powered by two 452 kW (606 shp) (TOP rating) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.
 * EC135 T2+ (Marketing name EC135 T2i): Latest current production version with 473 kW (634 shp) Arrius 2B2 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) MTOW upgrade, extended component TBOs, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain.
 * EC135 T2+ (Marketing name EC135 T2e): Marketing designation of aircraft with increased MTOW of 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs) within restricted flight envelope.
 * EC135 P3: Powered by two 528 kW (708 shp) (TOP rating) PW206B3 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,980 kg (6,570 lbs) MTOW upgrade, and significant increased OEI, Cat A, and hot/high performance. Market introduction in 2014.
 * EC135 T3: Powered by two 492 kW (660 shp) (TOP rating) Arrius 2B2Plus engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,980 kg (6,570 lbs) MTOW upgrade, and significant increased OEI, Cat A, and hot/high performance. Market introduction in 2014.
 * Eurocopter EC635/H135M/CH-165: Military variant development to meet a Portuguese Army requirement for a fire support and medical evacuation helicopter. In service in Afghanistan, Canada, Jordan, Portugal, and Switzerland.
 * TH-135: Military training variant developed from the EC135 T2+.
 * ACH135: Corporate variant of the H135.

Users

 * Argentina
 * Argentine Federal Police
 * Argentine National Gendarmerie
 * Australia
 * New South Wales Police AirWing
 * Royal Australian Navy
 * Austria
 * Federal Police
 * Brazil
 * Brazilian Air Force
 * Brazilian Navy
 * Canada
 * Ontario Provincial Police
 * Croatia
 * Croatian Police
 * Czech Republic
 * State Police
 * Gabon
 * Gabonese Air Force
 * Germany
 * Federal Police
 * German Army
 * State Police
 * Hungary
 * HSE National Ambulance Service
 * Ireland
 * Garda Air Support Unit
 * Irish Air Corps
 * Japan
 * Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
 * Japanese National Police
 * Lithuania
 * State Border Guard
 * Morocco
 * Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
 * Netherlands
 * National Police
 * ANWB Medical Air Assistance
 * Nigeria
 * Nigerian Air Force
 * Norway
 * Norwegian Police Service
 * Poland
 * Emergency Medical Services
 * Polish Border Guard
 * Romania
 * Romanian Police
 * SMURD
 * Slovenia
 * Slovenian National Police
 * Spain
 * Civil Guard
 * National Police Corps
 * Spanish Army Airmobile Force
 * Turkey
 * Ministry of Health
 * United Kingdom
 * National Police Air Service
 * Northern Lighthouse Board
 * Police Scotland
 * Police Service of Northern Ireland
 * Royal Air Force
 * United States
 * Broward County Sheriff
 * Massachusetts State Police

Related Development

 * MBB Bo105
 * MBB/Kawasaki BK-117
 * Eurocopter EC145
 * Eurocopter EC635

Comparable Aircraft

 * AgustaWestland AW109
 * AgustaWestland AW109S Grand
 * Bell 427
 * Bell 429
 * Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil
 * Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil II
 * HAL Dhruv
 * MD Helicopters MD Explorer