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The Eurocopter EC135 is a lightweight five/seven seat twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km. The EC135 is offered with either Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt and Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines. A militarized version called the EC 635 has been developed from the EC 135. Development of the Eurocopter EC135 started in the 80s as the MBB Bo.108 Advanced Technology Helicopter. The prototype BO108 with conventional tail rotor flew first on 15 October 1988. When the helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, the Bo108 program was transferred as well. An advanced low noise ducted 10-blade Fenestron tail rotor was, next to other modifications, incorporated into the design and the name of the helicopter was changed into Eurocopter EC135. The prototype of the EC135 (D-HBOX s/n S-01) flew first on 15 February 1994 and went into series production in 1996 at Donauwörth. After German certification was granted on 14 June 1996, was the first customer delivery on 31 July that year. Over 1050 have been delivered since the helicopter entered service in 1996 with the German rescue company DRF - Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht e.V.

The production and final assembly line of the EC 135 is at the Eurocopter Germany factory in Donauwörth in Germany. Next to the final assembly in Germany a second assembly line was put into operation at the Eurocopter Espana factory in Albacete, in the Castilla-La Mancha region in Spain. Next to this, as part of the Swiss light transport and training helicopter (LTSH) program for the Swiss air force, RUAG Aerospace opened an assembly line in Alpnach in Switzerland.

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All photos on this site are copyrighted by international copyright laws, and remain the property of the relevant photographer. Prior permission should always be sought directly from the photographer for any other means than private viewing. If no photographer is mentioned the photos on these pages are made by Jack Wolbrink.

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