Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 15, 2008 - (Page 40) FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Eurocopter Promotes UK Military, Police Roles Eurocopter’s presence at Farnborough (Hall 4, Stand G15) focuses on the UK military market with its requirements for SAR and medium helicopter capabilities by displaying mock-ups of the EC725 and the NH90. The company’s helicopters account for 75% of the existing UK and Ireland police air support market, while in the military field, Eurocopter and its British partner company, FB Heliservices Ltd, provide Ministry of Defence helicopter pilot training under a COMR (Civil Owned, Military Registered) arrangement. Through its fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Ltd, established in November 2007 with the purchase of McAlpine Helicopters and headquartered in Oxford, the company now has a strong industrial presence in the UK. Furthermore, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded the manufacturer an assessment phase contract for the Life Extension Program for the RAF’s fleet of Puma helicopters in June 2007. This is managed by a Eurocopter/MoD Joint Project Office (JPO) based in Bristol. Various twin-engined Eurocopter models have gone into Police Air Support and EMS operations over the past 25 years: originally, the The EC725 is now available with TCAS II avionics. BO105, BK117 and AS355 and, Army as the UH-72A Lakota. Eurocopter is carrying out the assessment more recently, the EC135 and the EC145. The EC135 is popular with phase for the life extension program for the RAF’s regional police forces, while Lon- fleet of medium-lift Puma helicopters, keeping don’s Metropolitan Police is the first them in service to 2022. It is managed by a EuroUK Police Air Support Unit to oper- copter/Ministry of Defence Joint Project Office, ate the EC145, thereby owning the operating in Bristol since August 20, 2007. The most advanced multi-role aircraft of program will be based on comprehensive any UK Police Force. This platform upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila is designed with total multi-mis- engines, glass cockpits, and new communicasion capability in mind and is capable tions, navigation and defensive systems for of carrying one or two pilots and 30 helicopters, to be designated Puma HC Mk2. Investment in the United Kingdom is set to eight or nine passengers. The EC145 is now being delivered to the U.S. grow through expanded training services for Eurocopter’s North Sea oil and gas customers in Scotland. The company intends to operate its first UK-based EC225 Flight Training Device (FTD) in Aberdeen through its fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Ltd., starting in 2010. This initiative forms part of a more general vices days on July 16 and 17. There air force, widening of Eurocopter UK’s footprint and capaarmy and navy customers can discuss the rationbilities: having so far operated in England, Wales ale behind various support and services and Ireland, Eurocopter UK is now also reinpackages to meet specific requirements for logisforcing its policy of proximity to customers and tics and cost. state-of-the-art services in Scotland. The FTD Pascal Gendre, MBDA Customer Support & will be qualified to JAR FSTD Level 3 standards, Services director, says: “Virtually every day we but will also include OEM (Original Equipment receive a support request which is unlike others Manufacturer) data pack and flight loop. already in place. To respond to these challenges, we have created a very flexible and personalized approach so that we can find the best solution in line with the customer’s requirements and, of course, the budget. This is the real “people” side of the business where we build relationships lasting the 25 years or more that a weapon system is in service. What we have been doing recently in the UK shows just how effective this relationship can be for both sides. Of course, I am hoping that we can build on this at Farnborough and show customers from around the world that what we have achieved with the UK customer can also be highly relevant to them”. —Paul Jackson Eurocopter’s NH90, a medium twin. MBDA Moves Support to the Fore Against the background of Tuesday’s important announcements on the future plans for the UK’s Complex Weapons initiative, MBDA is promoting its Customer Support & Services (CS&S) arm for the first time at Farnborough. As with Complex Weapons, CS&S is driven by the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) plan. MBDA has already secured several CS&S contracts with the UK Ministry of Defence, making it one of the earliest elements of the DIS to be put into action. Further contracts are currently under discussion, with some new announcements expected during the show. With MBDA’s CS&S, customers around the world can source new flexible, customized support solutions, including training, equipment testing, supply-chain management for spares and test firing campaigns. A key service is MBDA’s assumption of risk responsibility for ensuring weapon system availability for the customer. MBDA will hold two Customer Support & Ser- U.S. Army’s UH-72A is based on the EC145. 40 July 15, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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