Eurocopter, Europe’s leading fully-integrated aeronautical group, has chosen AD Aerospace, part of the AD Group, as a production partner on its new EC175 helicopter – ‘the best medium twin of the next decades’.
AD Aerospace will supply a tail-mounted camera system, using FV-0315 external aerospace cameras, to ease the helicopter surroundings surveillance. This will greatly improve the crews situational awareness without them needing to move from their standard operational positions.
“AD Aerospace is extremely proud to have been selected by Eurocopter to be a partner on the EC175, a very exciting new helicopter,” said Mike Horne, managing director, AD Aerospace. “We believe that video camera systems are a modern way to ease general surveillance and monitoring of both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.”
The EC175, a 7t-class medium utility helicopter, will take up to 16 passengers plus two crew and their luggage in excellent safety and comfort. It has primarily been designed for the oil and gas market and search and rescue missions. Other applicable roles include para-public operations, homeland security, air medical services, commercial missions and corporate transportation.
The aircraft completed its first flight in December 2009 and is just entering into a critical period of flight test. First deliveries of the EC175 will commence by mid 2012.