Air Rescue Service DRF Luftrettung Plans to Acquire Up to 10 More H145 Helicopters
DRF Luftrettung, a leading provider of emergency medical services, has placed an order for up to ten Airbus H145 helicopters, marking a significant step in their mission to continue improving medical care for people in need. The new order includes seven firm orders and three options.
The H145, with its versatility, is ideally suited for various missions, including emergency rescue, intensive care transport, hoist operations, and day and night operations. For DRF Luftrettung, the H145 will be deployed for special missions, not specified in the provided text.
Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters, noted that the H145 has become the backbone of DRF Luftrettung's fleet over the last decade. The partnership between the two entities is set to continue, with the H145 offering several key improvements and benefits for emergency medical services (EMS).
One of the significant improvements is the enclosed Fenestron tail rotor design, which enhances safety for ground crews and reduces overall noise levels compared to the exposed tail rotors of the older EC145 model. The H145 is also equipped with upgraded Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, offering more power, better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. These engines also improve single-engine performance, increase maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), and allow for higher payload capacity compared to the EC145's older Arriel 1E2 engines.
The H145 includes a modern digital cockpit with a 4-axis autopilot system, improved readability, enhanced pilot situational awareness, and reduced pilot workload, which is crucial in high-stress rescue missions. Additionally, the latest H145 model features a five-bladed rotor system that adds 150 kilograms to the payload capacity and improves flight smoothness, benefiting patient comfort and operational efficiency in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).
The helicopter's cabin is tailored to accommodate critical care scenarios, with enhanced space and configurations for medical teams and equipment, supporting neonatal, trauma, and other urgent medical emergencies. This customizable interior is a testament to the H145's adaptability for various EMS operations.
The ordered helicopters will be covered by DRF's fleet-wide HCare Smart contract, which provides comprehensive parts-by-the-hour support. This ensures the optimal service for DRF Luftrettung's patients by keeping the fleet modern and flexible.
With over 1,675 H145 family helicopters in service, logging a total of over 7.6 million flight hours, the H145 has proven its reliability and effectiveness. The H145 is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and has a particularly low acoustic footprint, making it the quietest helicopter in its class. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design in the H145 eases maintenance operations and improves serviceability and reliability.
Airbus Helicopters expressed gratitude for the continued trust placed in their helicopters by DRF Luftrettung, noting that the new order is a testament to the H145's suitability for EMS operations. With these upgrades, the H145 is poised to improve response capabilities, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes in critical rescue missions.
[1] Airbus Helicopters [2] DRF Luftrettung [3] EMS World [5] Rotor & Wing International
- The enclosed Fenestron tail rotor design and upgraded Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines on the H145 could provide significant benefits for the aerospace industry, as it promises increased safety, improved noise levels, better fuel efficiency, and higher payload capacity compared to older models.
- As the partnership between Airbus Helicopters and DRF Luftrettung continues, the integration of H145 helicopters into DRF's fleet will expand their capabilities in the finance and technology sectors, allowing for advancements in medical care and emergency services, and paving the way for improvements in the industry.
