Royal Thai Army orders Airbus EC145 T2
The Royal Thai Army has ordered six Airbus EC145 T2 light-utility, twin-engine helicopters, as announced by the company on 23 February.
The six EC145 T2 helicopters have been ordered with a VIP installation as part of the army's Light Utility Helicopter Type II requirement. They will be principally deployed for official passenger transport duties, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016.
Philippe Monteux, head of Southeast Asia and Pacific, Airbus Helicopters, said: 'By acquiring the EC145 T2, the army again demonstrates its confidence in Airbus Helicopters' products and services, following the successful entry into service of the AS550 C3e armed reconnaissance helicopters in 2014 and the imminent delivery of the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters from the US.'
The EC145 T2 has a digital cockpit, four-axis autopilot, a maximum take-off weight of 3.65 tonnes and twin Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines with dual-channel full authority digital engine controls. Airbus Helicopters' Fenestron shrouded tail rotor ensures operational safety when taking off or landing in confined sites and when loading or unloading on the ground with the rotor still running.
The UH-72A Lakota helicopter is another version of the EC145, produced for the US Army and Navy. The Royal Thai Army has ordered six of them from the US army under the foreign military sales programme.
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