Norwegian Air Ambulance amplifies its fleet with H145 helicopters

Norwegian Air Ambulance amplifies its fleet with H145 helicopters

Norwegian Air Ambulance Strengthens Life-Saving Operations with New H145 Helicopters

The Norwegian Air Ambulance is expanding its fleet with up to eight new Airbus H145 helicopters, featuring the latest five-bladed rotor design. This upgrade offers enhanced performance, improved safety, and greater mission efficiency, significantly benefiting life-saving operations across Norway.

The new H145s, which replace older models, are equipped with two Safran Arriel 2E engines and fitted with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. This combination ensures high performance and reliability, essential for emergency medical services (EMS) missions.

The five-bladed rotor system improves flight stability, reduces noise and vibrations, and enables better maneuverability in challenging terrain. These advantages are crucial for EMS operations in Norway's diverse geography.

The benefits of these new helicopters for life-saving missions are numerous:

1. Improved operational capabilities: The five-bladed rotor system enhances hover performance and stability during critical patient loading/unloading and winching operations in remote or mountainous areas.
2. Increased safety: Greater handling precision and reduced vibration lower the risk to crew and patients, crucial during high-stress emergency responses.
3. Enhanced mission readiness: The H145 platform supports advanced avionics and medical equipment integration, facilitating faster response times and more effective in-flight care.
4. Fleet modernization: The new H145s contribute to a modernized, reliable, and efficient air ambulance service in Norway.

The Norwegian Air Ambulance signed a frame contract with Airbus Helicopters in June 2025 to acquire up to eight H145s, with two already firmly ordered. This strategic effort is part of a larger plan to strengthen emergency medical helicopter services between 2025 and 2027, aiming for better patient outcomes and wider coverage across Norway.

Airbus Helicopters is the leading provider of helicopters to the air medical transport industry, providing approximately 54% of the 2,700 EMS helicopters flying worldwide. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design eases maintenance operations for the H145, further enhancing its appeal for EMS operations.

The five-bladed H145 has been deemed perfect for HEMS operations by the Norwegian Air Ambulance CEO, Leif Olstad. Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in their helicopters, stating, "We are proud to support the Norwegian Air Ambulance in their mission to save lives and improve healthcare services across Norway."

References: [1] Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. (2025). Press Release: Norwegian Air Ambulance expands fleet with new H145 helicopters. Retrieved from www.norwegianairambulance.no/press-release-norwegian-air-ambulance-expands-fleet-with-new-h145-helicopters

[2] Airbus Helicopters. (2025). H145: The perfect fit for HEMS operations. Retrieved from www.airbushelicopters.com/h145-hems-operations

[3] Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. (2025). Frame contract for up to eight new H145 helicopters. Retrieved from www.norwegianairambulance.no/frame-contract-for-up-to-eight-new-h145-helicopters

1. The new H145s, integrated into the Norwegian Air Ambulance fleet, will boost operational capabilities, especially in the aerospace industry, as the five-bladed rotor system enhances hover performance during critical patient loading/unloading and winching operations in remote or mountainous areas.
2. The strategic partnership between the Norwegian Air Ambulance and Airbus Helicopters, a leading player in the finance and technology sectors, strengthens emergency medical services (EMS) across Norway, with the global provider supplying approximately 54% of the 2,700 EMS helicopters flying worldwide.

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