Eurocopter will underscore its strong presence in the European multi-mission helicopter marketplace with the company’s participation at this week’s Helitech helicopter show and conference, being held October 5-7 at Cascais Airport in the Portuguese city of Estoril.

The Eurocopter exhibit stand (booth no.214) is to include scale models of the EC635 and AS550 C3 Fennec rotary-wing aircraft. An EC135 operated by Spain’s Unidad Militar de Emergencias also will be on the static display line at Helitech.

Eurocopter’s EC635 is based on Eurocopter’s popular EC135 twin-engine rotary-wing aircraft, and is suited for a full range of applications – including search and rescue, medical evacuation command and control, reconnaissance and observation, escort, fire-support and border patrol, as well as peace-keeping missions.

The AS550 C3 Fennec combines compact size, excellent manoeuvrability and a capable mission system for outstanding capacity in scout, close air support and urban warfare. The equipment package on this single-engine helicopter includes a day/night aiming system and nose-mounted FLIR with laser designator for higher targeting efficiency, along with a night vision goggle-compatible cockpit.

Eurocopter has a long relationship with Portugal, which has acquired the Puma, Alouette III, Ecureuil and NH90 helicopters.

A total of 13 Pumas were delivered in 1969-1970 to the Portuguese Air Force, which was the first military service to use this rotary-wing aircraft type in combat – deploying them during the country’s colonial war that was fought in Africa between 1961 and 1974. Subsequently, the Pumas were used for medical airlift and search & rescue missions – with some of them continuing in air force operations today, along with a fleet of Alouette IIIs.

The Portuguese Interior Ministry’s Empresa de Medios Aéreos organisation uses four Ecureuil helicopters for airlift, utility and fire-fighting missions.

In addition, Portugal is a member of the NH90 helicopter programme, and will receive 10 of these multi-role military rotary-wing aircraft beginning in 2012.
Ãœber Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.