HAL to become major Aero Structure Excellence Centre for Eurocopter’s World Wide Supply Chain
During the visit of Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing -Asia Pacific, at the company’s India’s facility in Bangalore, an agreement with high-ranking HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.) representatives was settled to enlarge the production scale of Ecureuil/Fennec. With this, HAL is to become a first line partner for the global supply chain of the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer. This further enlarged cooperation isexpected to create approximately 150 high-quality jobs in the Bangalore region for more than ten years.
Mr. Ducrot said “HAL and Eurocopter are familiar with each other, having worked together ina trustful relationship for more than 40 years. Since the 1960ies, HAL has manufactured around 600 Chetaks and Cheetahs, the legendary predecessors to the Ecureuil/Fennec aircraft, under license from Eurocopter. The new Ecureuil work packages to be processed byHAL are expected to give job to up to 150 specialised Indian workers and technicians in Bangalore for more than 10 years”.
In the framework of this trustful and mutually fruitful industrial cooperation, Eurocopter iscontracting latest technologies in metal and composite work to its partner HAL and would behelping in creating high-quality jobs in India. HAL itself decisively contributes to the fact that Eurocopter’s yearly production rate of all Ecureuil versions is more than twice that of its closest competitors. Every second day, one Ecureuil (civil version) or Fennec (militaryversion name) leaves the final assembly lines.
Until today, more than 3,000 Ecureuil aircraft have been delivered to customers in all continents for both civil and military applications. The helicopters that have been delivered have already logged over 12 million flight hours for approximately 1,500 customers in over 90 countries. Not only Ecureuil is the world record owner in terms of sales, but also holds a veryhigh altitude performance record, as it was, recently, the first and only helicopter in the worldto successfully land on top of Mount Everest.
Fennec / Ecureuil – best in class performance characteristics in extreme environment
The military certified Fennec currently represents the best transport / radius of action tradeoff when compared with any helicopter in its class. In just one hour, it can transport 25commandos at 20 km at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters at ISA temperatures, and up to 3,500 meters at ISA +20°C, while at the same time performing take-offs out of ground effect. This was one of the numerous Fennec assets during the latest successful trials operated by Indian Army in the course of its on going tender for 197 light helicopters.
In India, the Fennec 550C3 has been successfully demonstrated to cope with the demanding High Altitude and Hot Temperature operational requirements which make it the natural successor of Cheetah, in full compliance to the needs of the Indian Army. The helicopter is capable of day & night military operations and covers a mission spectrum from attack, anti-tank,to training, cargo, sling transport, medical evacuation, and SAR. The modern designand easiness of field maintenance makes the Fennec C3 the best proven military helicopter in its class.
Eurocopter technology beats American rivals in U.S. Army program
Recently, with the twin-engine UH145, a Eurocopter product was chosen by the U.S. MoD as the new light utility helicopter of the U.S. Army, beating Bell, Agusta Westland and MD Helicopters, showing the superiority of Eurocopter’s military solutions when it comes to the best mix of product, performance and cost.
Ecureuil – latest world record as best proof of concept
In May 2006, the renowned American Helicopter Society honoured Eurocopter with the Igor Sikorsky International Trophy for achieving the high altitude world record with AS350B3 helicopter. On May 14th and May 15th 2005, a regular, serial AS350B3 Ecureuil helicopter,operated by company test pilot Didier Delsalle, landed atop Mt. Everest (8,850metres/29,035 feet) - literally on “Top of the World”. As such, the AS350B3 Ecureuil can betermed the best performing single-engine helicopter in the world. “We are delighted that HALand Karnataka are associated with this world record, which represents one more step in the 40 years of mutual, uninterrupted loyalty story with India,” says N. Ducrot, Vice President Asia-Pacific at Eurocopter, referring to the indigenous production of the Ecureuil/Fennec series.
Eurocopter strategy in India
As Norbert Ducrot points out, “Eurocopter’s business focus in India for 2006 and 2007 is todecisively increase our business platform by means of sales as well as by successful industrial deployment. For that reason, we are not only participating in the Indian Army Aviation tender for the Reconnaissance and Observation Helicopters with our proven AS550C3 Fennec, but we are currently discussing numerous opportunities for long-term industrial cooperation with Indian Aerospace industry especially regarding the 10 tons class helicopterrequirement for all armed forces”. Bruno Boulnois, General Manager of Eurocopter in India,adds:”We are proud of such programs, which will act as a catalyst in building our Bangaloreteam at par with the highest standards of aerospace technology and quality in the world”.
About Eurocopter
Eurocopter, founded in 1992, today is a French-German-Spanish group and a business division of EADS, a leading corporation in the field of aeronautics, defence and associated services. Eurocopter employs around 13,500 people worldwide and offers the biggest product range of civil and military helicopters. In 2005, Eurocopter strengthened its position as the leading helicopter manufacturer, showing a 3.2 billion Euro turnover, an order book of 401 new helicopters, counting for 52 percent of the worldwide civil and para-public market. In total, Eurocopter counts for 30 percent of the world wide fleet of helicopters in service. With 16 affiliates and subsidiaries on five continents and a strong network of service and maintenance centres, Eurocopter ensures its strong worldwide presence. Currently, more than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are in service with 2,500 customers in 139 countries.
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