© Airbus Helicopters/Jerome DEULIN-2014 Airbus Helicopters and Chinese’s Avicopter has signed a joint agreement for the production of ...
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| © Airbus Helicopters/Jerome DEULIN-2014 |
Airbus Helicopters and Chinese’s Avicopter has signed a joint agreement for the production of 1000 EC175/Z-15 helicopters, in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President François Hollande at the Elysée Palace in Paris.
Initial deliveries to its first three EC175 customers are planned by Airbus Helicopters later in 2014.
France and China launched the joint development of EC175/AC352 in 2005. The first prototype made its maiden flight in 2009.
The AC352/Z-15 is assembled and supported from China by Avicopter, for the Chinese market and the EC175 is assembled and supported by Airbus Helicopters from Marignane, France, for the international market.
Airbus Helicopters have responsibility for the EC175's main gearbox, tail rotor, avionics, autopilot, hydraulic and electrical systems and doors. and third). Avicopter builds the airframe, tail and intermediate gearboxes, main rotor, fuel system, flight controls and landing gear.
The medium-sized twin engined helicopter is capable of undertaking missions including offshore crew transport, search and rescue, VIP, utility and medical evacuation operations.
It is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E turboshaft engines, rated at 1,324 kW each. The helo has an cruise speed of 285 km/h and a range of 1260 kms.
