Airbus Helicopters hands over initial H135 model to the Spanish Air Force and Space Corps
The Airbus H135, a versatile and reliable helicopter, is making a significant impact in the Spanish fleet. Known for its efficiency and the ability to transition smoothly to more complex aircraft, the H135 is quickly becoming the helicopter of choice for a variety of demanding missions.
Equipped with Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, the H135 boasts some of the most advanced technologies available. This makes it an ideal choice for diverse missions such as air medical transport (medevac), law enforcement, training of military pilots, and utility support tasks. Its operational versatility is further enhanced by features like a digital automatic flight control system and a quiet Fenestron tail design, allowing it to perform under instrument flight rules (IFR) and handle demanding operational conditions.
In Spain, the H135 is employed in both military and civil roles. For instance, the Spanish Air Force uses the H135 military variant (H135M) for training tasks as part of its air force capabilities. The helicopter can also be assigned to operations at multiple airfields and supports different branches such as military and civilian functions within Spain’s Air and Space Force.
Globally, including Spain, the H135 is widely recognized for performing police operations and emergency medical transport due to its maneuverability, safety, and technological capabilities. The H135 fleet has accumulated more than 6.5 million flight hours, with over 400,000 of those hours dedicated to military training for 12 military customers.
The Spanish Navy will soon receive the first of seven H135 units as per the contract, with the rest of the planned fleet of 11 helicopters expected to be delivered in the coming months. Once these are in service, the H135 will become the helicopter of reference for pilot training for the Spanish Air Force, Army, Navy, the Guardia Civil, and other countries.
Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Spain, recently announced that all young pilots from the Ministry of Defence corps will now be trained on the H135. This decision is expected to facilitate crew training and the entry into service for the 78th Wing at the Military School of Helicopters in Armilla (Granada).
The delivery of the H135 to the Spanish Air and Space Force in Albacete is six months ahead of schedule, underscoring Airbus' commitment to timely delivery and customer satisfaction. The H135's delivery is not expected to reinforce the Military Helicopter School as the benchmark in the world, as it already holds this title. However, it is expected to further solidify Spain's reliance on the H135 for multifaceted and challenging missions, ranging from pilot training to urgent medevac, policing, and general utility tasks within their air force and other agencies.
With more than 1,400 H135 helicopters operated by over 300 operators in 65 countries, the H135 continues to prove its worth as a reliable and versatile choice for helicopter operations worldwide.
[1] Airbus Helicopters. (n.d.). H135. Retrieved July 17, 2023, from https://www.airbushelicopters.com/en/products/civil-helicopters/h135.html
[2] Airbus Helicopters. (n.d.). H135M. Retrieved July 17, 2023, from https://www.airbushelicopters.com/en/products/military-helicopters/h135m.html
The H135, with its integration of Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, demonstrates its affiliation with cutting-edge technology, making it suitable for diverse assignments in science, space-and-astronomy, and other demanding missions. The H135's operational versatility and technological advancements have positioned it as a viable option for various applications, from air medical transport to military training tasks and beyond.
