Boeing, Thales pick EC135 for training

Boeing Australia and Thales Australia report they are bidding for an Australian military contract for helicopter crew training. Their preferred training vehicle: Eurocopter's EC135, a twin-engine aircraft often used for law enforcement and medevac missions but also used for helicopter crew training in Germany, Japan, Spain and by law enforcement agencies in two Australian states. Kim Gillis, managing director of Boeing Defense Australia said the decision to use the EC135 was made after thorough flight and ground assessments of the aircraft's suitability for initial training and as a lead-in for training for larger helicopters. "The aircraft's support base, both locally and internationally, presents a significantly lower cost of operation than other aircraft in its class, reducing project-establishment and through-life-support risk," Gillis added. "For Phase Seven of the Australian Defense Force Project AIR 9000 Helicopter Aircrew Training System, the two companies would combine Boeing's experience in air crew training with Thales' simulation technologies. "Boeing and Thales's individual expertise and shared strengths, as well as a strong working relationship spanning more than 15 years, have enabled the design of a truly integrated, cost-effective, low-risk aircrew training solution for the (Australian military)," Gillis said.