The EC135 - Applied Advanced Technology

The EC135 is Eurocopter's new twin-engined multi-purpose light helicopter. This helicopter is designed to accommodate up to 7 persons in its aerodynamically shaped fuselage and has some unique features like a bearingless composite main rotor, a Fenestron anti-torque system and an Anti-Resonance Isolation System (ARIS). As a modem helicopter it offers state-of-the-art safety features like crashworthiness and damage tolerant layout and takes advantage of the latest design technology. One of the major factors contributing significantly to the overall performance of the helicopter are advanced design features and materials. This includes the dynamic system as well as the fuselage. Weight saving, reduction of operating costs and improved performance are the benefits of incorporating advanced technology in design. The structure is designed to meet the latest certification requirements according to JAR27. These certification requirements also ask for some new specific characteristics concerning structure related safety aspects such as damage tolerance and crashworthiness. To ensure safe operation of the helicopter throughout its lifetime the primary structure has been designed taking into account damage tolerance criteria. This has been considered in the design process for example by using multiple load paths as well as by taking into account the presence of certain structural defects like impacts or manufacturing defects in composite parts or initial flaws in metallic parts when performing the dimensioning and lifetime calculations. The damage tolerance evaluation, which is part of the general strength evaluation, has been performed analytically based on test results. The results are also an important basis for the definition of inspection and maintenance procedures for the helicopter.