The newest member of Eurocopter’s military helicopter family is being shown  for the first time at Eurosatory  defense exhibition with the EC645’s unveiling as a highly capable, medium-sized multirole platform for armed reconnaissance, fire support, observation, airlift missions and search & rescue.
The EC645 is the militarized version of Eurocopter’s EC145 helicopter, which is in widespread use worldwide for homeland security, para-military, law enforcement, search & rescue and medical evacuation missions, along with other applications. The U.S. Army currently is acquiring 345 EC145s in the UH-72A configuration as its new Light Utility Helicopter, while a U.S.-specific armed version called the AAS-72X is to be proposed for the U.S. military’s Armed Aerial Scout requirement.
The EC645 responds to demands for a 3.5-metric ton weight category that can be rapidly reconfigured for a full range of mission requirements to meet complex combat scenarios such as asymmetric warfare.
Equipped with the Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS) developed by Eurocopter and ATE, the EC645 incorporates a mission computer, an electro-optical system with TV and infrared cameras and laser telemeter (with laser designator as needed), a targeting system with a helmet mounted sight and display, two multi-purpose weapon pylons with slaving units, and a choice of weapons loads (guns, missiles and unguided or guided rockets).
This integrated weapons system – combined with the aircraft’s glass cockpit – provides full situational awareness for the crew, while self-protection is provided by the helicopter’s armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, threat detectors and chaff/flare dispensers.
The EC645’s unobstructed large main cabin is easily re-configurable to maximize its mission flexibility and the helicopter's sliding side and rear clamshell doors optimize access. The high-set main and tail rotors provide unparalleled safety, access and space utilization, and allow loading/unloading of cargo, passengers and patients while the rotors are turning.
Eurocopter is also exhibiting a 1 scale model of the NH-90 in both configurations, tactical transport and Naval, reflecting the scope of this helicopter program in Europe, which, to date, has received more than 529 orders from 14 nations.
Also to be displayed are Eurocopter’s Tiger attack helicopter and Eurocopter’s EC725 (RESCO) combat search & rescue helicopter, both of which are operational with French military forces in Afghanistan. 206 Tiger helicopters have been ordered by France, Germany, Australia and Spain, with this platform specially designed to integrate a wide variety of weapon systems that meet the specific military requirements of each customer. The deployment of three Tiger helicopters in the HAP version by French military forces to Afghanistan has confirmed the aircraft’s exceptional capabilities in support of ground operations.
The EC725 also has been successfully deployed by France in Afghanistan, demonstrating its role as an invaluable asset in supporting coalition forces. Eurocopter’s growing list of government customers for this 11-ton-class helicopter also includes Brazil, Malaysia and Mexico.
Completing Eurocopter’s exhibit at Eurosatory are its AS550 Fennec, AS565 Panther, and EC635, which round out the presence of the company’s full military helicopter product line.