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The Eurocopter, later Airbus Helicopters EC120 Colibri ("hummingbird") is a five-seat, single-engine, light utility helicopter. Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), Harbin Aviation Industries (Group) Ltd (HAIG) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAero) at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, the EC120B was assembled by Eurocopter in France and Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In China, the aircraft is produced by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) as the HC120.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2004, HAMC began local manufacturing of the HC120 at their assembly line in Harbin, in northern China. In the Chinese market, both the People's Liberation Army and multiple local police forces have purchased HC120 helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DevelopmentEdit
The EC120 Colibri has its origins in the P120, a proposal by French helicopter manufacturer Aérospatiale that was intended to replace both their Aérospatiale Gazelle and Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama single engine helicopters. During the 1980s, Aérospatiale sought international partners with which to co-produce the P120, these included aerospace companies in China, Singapore, and Australia.<ref>"Australia pulls out of Aerospatiale P120." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 5 December 1989.</ref><ref>"Aerospatiale to build light helicopters with China and Singapore. (P-120 helicopter)." Defense Daily, 3 July 1991.</ref> In the aftermath of the Chinese Government's crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the exclusion of Chinese involvement in the project was speculated.<ref>"Aerospatiale venture faces China crisis." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 8 July 1989.</ref>
On 20 October 1992, a contract for the joint development contract of the new helicopter was signed by the three principle partners of the project, the newly formed Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) and Singapore Aerospace Ltd (STAero).<ref name = "air hist"/> Under the joint development agreement, Eurocopter received a 61% controlling interest and technical leader in the programme, CATIC received a 24% work share and STAero received a 15% work share; CATIC designed and produced the cabin structure and fuel system, STAero produced the tail boom, access doors, and composite materials, while Eurocopter produced the dynamic assemblies, installed the avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, and conducted the final assembly activity.<ref name = "light intern">Grey, Peter. "Light flier." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 13 May 1998.</ref> Development of the rotorcraft allowed Eurocopter to extend its range to include Template:Convert rotorcraft.<ref name = "air hist"/>
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On 9 June 1995, the first prototype EC120 Colibri conducted its maiden flight.<ref name = "air hist">"History: From Eurocopter to Airbus Helicopters." Template:Webarchive Airbus Helicopters, Retrieved: 29 November 2015.</ref> By February 1996, the prototype had accumulated 60 flight hours, a second prototype joined the test program later that year.<ref>"EC120 testing reaches 60h." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 14 February 1996.</ref> In February 1997, the EC120 Colibri was formally launched at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) show in Anaheim, California; by June 1997, more than 50 orders had been received for the type.<ref>"Helicopters on the rise." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 14 May 1997.</ref><ref>"Eurocopter wins Dauphin orders." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 25 June 1997.</ref> By October 1998, more than 100 orders had been received for the type, leading Eurocopter to increase the production rate from four helicopters per month to six.<ref name = "six product">Moxon, Julian. "'Growing demand' for Colibri prompts production increase." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 21 October 1998.</ref> In 2002, Eurocopter was in the process of establishing a second assembly line for the EC120 at Australian Aerospace's facility in Brisbane, Australia.<ref>"Australian Prime Minister Inspects Eurocopter Helicopters during his State Visit to Germany." Template:Webarchive Airbus Helicopters, 4 July 2002.</ref>
In September 2003, Eurocopter and China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) expanded their partnership agreement to include a co-production arrangement with AVIC II-subsidiary Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG).<ref>Sobie, Brendan. "Eurocopter expands Chinese deal with EC120." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 23 September 2003.</ref> On 11 June 2004, a final production agreement was signed; under the agreement, CATIA and HAIG received exclusive market rights in China, and Eurocopter agreed to stop selling French-built EC120s in mainland China.<ref name = "china prod 04">Sobie, Brendan. "Chinese army ready to launch HC120 after production deal." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 22 June 2014.</ref> In June 2014, the People's Liberation Army of China became the launch customer for the Harbin-produced HC120, reportedly placing an order for eight of the type with options for fifty more.<ref name = "china prod 04"/>
On 30 November 2017 Airbus Helicopters formally announced the end of the H120 program citing low delivery numbers. Only five H120s were delivered in 2016 compared to 63 Robinson R-66s. Airbus stated they are moving away from the lower end of the market spectrum and those helicopters are not as sophisticated as their traditional product line.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Diesel demonstratorEdit
Within the Green Rotorcraft European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative environmental research program started in 2011, a H120 Technology demonstrator equipped with a HIPE AE440 high-compression aircraft diesel engine, running on jet fuel, first flew on 6 November 2015.<ref name=EC160219/> It aimed to reduce pollutant emissions and increase fuel efficiency, nearly double the range and enhance operations in hot and high conditions.<ref name=151110PR>Template:Cite press release</ref>
The powerplant trialed was a liquid-cooled, dry sump lubricated 4.6-liter 90° V8 engine with an Template:Convert common rail direct injection, fully machined aluminum blocks, titanium connecting rods, steel pistons and liners, one turbocharger per cylinder bank.<ref name=151110PR/> With an air-to-air intercooler, it weighed Template:Convert without gearbox and the Template:Convert installed powerpack weighs Template:Convert.<ref name=EC160219>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The rotors were driven via the existing transmission, the faster-turning Turbomeca Arrius turboshaft was replaced with a multiplier gearbox.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The brake specific fuel consumption was 200 g/kW⋅h.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Torque oscillations were reduced through a light torsional shaft and vibrations are damped by Silent blocs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was manufactured by Teos Powertrain Engineering—a joint venture between Mecachrome and D2T (IFPEN group)—for the mechanical design, engine main parts manufacturing, assembly and testing and Austro Engine for the dual-channel FADEC and harness, fuel system, airworthiness.<ref name=EC160219/> Power was maintained at 2,500 m and ISA+20° and it achieved 42% a fuel consumption reduction, reducing the direct operating costs by 30% along with simpler maintenance.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
DesignEdit
The EC120B Colibri is a single-engine multimission helicopter, designed for safe, simple, and cost-effective operations. It incorporates several of Eurocopter's trademarked technologies, those of prominence are the three-bladed Speriflex main rotor head and the eight-bladed fenestron anti-torque tail rotor;<ref>"P.120 Programme take shape." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 6 March 1990.</ref> these have been partially credited with contributing to the rotorcraft's noise signature, which is 6.7 decibels below International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) limits.<ref name="air handy">"EC120 B: Everything you need in One Handy Little Package." Template:Webarchive Airbus Helicopters, 2014.</ref>
Airbus Helicopters has claimed that the EC120 B possesses the lowest operating cost in its class. As of 2014, the EC120 has the distinction of being the only single-engine rotorcraft to be certified to JAR/FAR 27 standards; measures incorporated to meet these standards include an energy-attenuating main structure, energy-absorbent seats for all on board, and a crash-resistant fuel system.<ref name = "air handy"/><ref name = "air tech"/>
The aircraft features a wide, ergonomic cabin with high levels of external visibility, which can accommodate a single pilot along with four passengers in typical passenger configuration.<ref name = "air handy"/> The design of the cabin is suitable for a wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the rotorcraft can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants.<ref name = "air handy"/>
In a cargo-carrying capacity, the EC120 can carry one pilot plus Template:Convert of total useful load volume spread between the cabin and the Template:Convert hold, which is externally accessible from the right-hand side and to the rear, as well as from the cabin in some configurations. To ease cargo operations, the cabin floor is flat and unobstructed; alternatively, a cargo sling can be installed to carry cargo of up to Template:Convert.<ref name = "air handy"/>
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According to Airbus Helicopters, the EC120B integrates a high level of advanced technology to make the rotorcraft easier and safer to fly, as well as to reduce costs. A particular emphasis was placed on allowing end-customers to perform as much of the maintenance tasks themselves.<ref name = "air handy"/> The primary instrument panel is the twin-screen vehicle and engine multifunction display (VEMD) which provides control and monitoring of various aspects of the rotorcraft, such as the fenestron tail rotor and key engine parameters; the VEMD decreases overall pilot workload for greater safety.<ref name = "air handy"/> In a baseline configuration, flight controls are installed only on the right-hand side, dual controls or left-hand only flight controls can be optionally installed.<ref name="air tech">"EC120 B: Technical Data 2015." Template:Webarchive Airbus Helicopters, 2015.</ref> Third parties have offered their own avionics suites for the EC120, adding functionality such as an autopilot.<ref>"Regourd offers advanced suite in entry-level EC120 Colibri." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 31 January 2006.</ref><ref>Learmount, David. "Light helicopters set for autopilots." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 17 October 2006.</ref>
In addition to various civil roles, the EC120 has also been used by several military operators to conduct training, observation and light utility missions. Airbus Helicopter has promoted the type in a training capacity due to features such as positive control response, performance computation systems, modern instrumentation for ease of use, overall compact size, and a high level of cabin visibility.<ref name = "air handy"/>
A wide range of optional equipment can be installed upon the EC120 B, this includes a wire strike protection system, air conditioning, sand filter, skis, windshield wipers, electrical external mirrors, a cargo sling, emergency flotation gear, forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, and external spotlights.<ref name = "air handy"/> For corporate customers, the EC120 can be equipped with a Stylence interior, offering a luxurious interior with leather upholstery, in-flight office and telecommunications facilities, along with reduced noise and vibration levels via additional insulation.<ref>Peaford, Alan. "EBACE: Eurocopter keen to demonstrate value of helicopter role." Template:Webarchive Flight International, 15 May 2012.</ref>
Operational historyEdit
Template:External media The first EC120B was delivered in 1998. By 2008, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 550 Colibris to various customers.
In 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) selected the EC120B to meet its Light Sign Cutter requirement, a program potentially involving 55 aircraft with a total value of US$75 million in then-year dollars.<ref>"Co-developed in China: US Homeland Security Orders EC120 Helis." Template:Webarchive Defense Industry Daily, 1 March 2006.</ref> In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120B helicopters, with a further five aircraft since ordered.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) has procured a number of EC120s, which are used as rotary-wing trainers at the Armilla AFB. In 2003, the SPAF formed an aerobatic display team, the Patrulla ASPA, which use the type; a typical display involves five EC120s performing complex manoeuvers in addition to formation flight.<ref>"Inicios de la Patrulla ASPA." Template:Webarchive patrullaaspa.defensa.gob.es, Retrieved: 29 November 2015.</ref><ref>López, Luis Javier. "La patrulla ASPA del Ejército del Aire celebra sus diez años en Granada." Template:Webarchive sevilla.abc.es, 18 May 2014.</ref>
In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the French Army's new lead-in rotary-wing trainer to replace the Aérospatiale Gazelle. 36 EC120 Bs equipped with Sagem avionics shall be operated through a 22-year public-private partnership (PPP) with operator Hélidax.<ref>"Premier partenariat public prive pour la defense." Template:Webarchive French Ministry of Defense.</ref> On 12 October 2010, the final EC120 was delivered to Hélidax.<ref>Parsons, Gary. "News: Last EC120 for French training delivered." Template:Webarchive Aircraft Magazine, 12 October 2010.</ref>
Since 2011, a number of EC120s have been operated by the traffic police of Kurdistan, Iraq.<ref name="akn_tphh">"Kurdistan's traffic police to have helicopters." Template:Webarchive AKNews, 17 December 2011.</ref> As of 2014, the crews are trained to undertake surveillance and rescue missions.<ref>Bender, Jeremy. "As The Kurds Mobilize In Iraq, Here’s A Look At What They Have In Their Arsenal." Template:Webarchive Business Insider, 30 June 2014.</ref>
VariantsEdit
P120L prototype before type redesignation to EC120 Colibri.
- Template:Visible anchor: Standard designation.
- HC120: Chinese-built variant of the EC120.
OperatorsEdit
Civil operatorsEdit
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The EC120 is used by both private individuals and companies, helicopter charter and training organisations as well as law enforcement and government use.
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Federal Highway Police<ref name="EC-120B Colibri - Mato Grosso do Sul">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Calgary Police Service<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Royal Canadian Mounted Police<ref name="Reshaping Canada’s Parapublic Service">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Edmonton Police Service<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- York Regional Police 2002-2023<ref name="Reshaping Canada’s Parapublic Service"/>
- Winnipeg Police Service<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Bundespolizei<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- {{#invoke
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- State Border Guard<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- {{#invoke
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- Spanish National Police<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- San Jose Police Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Baltimore Police Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Austin Police Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Albuquerque Police Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Sacramento County Sheriff's Department<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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• Kurdistan traffic police; also used for rescue and reconnaissance<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Military operatorsEdit
- Chinese Army Ground Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2014">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- {{#invoke
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- Hélidax (Army Aviation Training)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Indonesian Army<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Indonesian Navy<ref name="World Air Forces 2014"/>
- Indonesian Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2014"/>
- Royal Malaysian Air Force<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Myanmar Air Force<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Republic of Singapore Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2014"/>
- {{#invoke
- flag||Spain}}
- Spanish Air and Space Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2014"/>
Specifications (EC120 B)Edit
See alsoEdit
Template:Portal Template:Aircontent
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Official Eurocopter EC120 B Website
- EC120 webpage
- UK-CAA & JAA Type Certificate Data Sheet
- Harbin Aviation Industries producer of the HC120
- EC120 productionlist details about and productionlist of the EC120 and HC120
Template:AVIC Aero Products Template:Eurocopter Template:Spanish helicopters