Airbus updates H135 design

Although Airbus Helicopters has not published yet about the new developments on their H135 design, a photo of the prototype has immerged. Niek van der Zande photographed D-HEEY at the Airbus production facilities of Donauwörth, Germany in August this year. No construction number is known yet.

A number of improvements are clearly visible: the four blade main rotor is replaced by a five blade main rotor as seen before on the H145-D3 and UH-72B. Two users of the five blade H145-D3, DRF (Deutsche Luft Rettung) and ADAC are positive on their experiences with the new type of rotor. It enables a flight with much less vibrations caused by the main rotor which is better for the patient during transport.

Another modification is that the stabilizer is moved from the tail boom to a position on top of fenestron which means the stabilizer is out of the range of the downwash of the main rotor. The cockpit is a little bit more streamlined, the windows in the sliding doors are enlarged. Experience with composite materials gained in the H160 design are implemented, with a decrease of empty weight which increases payload. The composite materials are used in many parts of the fuselage, like in the redesigned cargo doors and in the new designed engine cowlings.

Photo: Niek van der Zande