Heavy Transport Helicopter

  • Germany Germany
  • France France

In the Future Transport Helicopter, FTH short, it is a project for a heavy transport helicopter built by Eurocopter. Currently, the study is still in the analysis phase; the participating European countries want more, preferably American partner. In September 2012, a cooperation agreement with Boeing was signed.

History

After the German Army Aviation Corps was established together with the French defense technology agency DGA end of 2003 the basic requirements for a new heavy transport helicopter, Eurocopter studies were initiated in order to develop a successor for the getting on in years CH-53G/GS-Hubschrauber. However, it was announced in spring 2004 that no funds for development would be available in the near future and such a project could be taken only in the year 2015 attack.

In February 2006, were made ​​inquiries with respect to the Eurocopter HTH by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement in Koblenz.

In March 2006, Eurocopter announced that a Heavy Transport Helicopter ( HTH, later renamed FTH ) in 2018 would be the earliest available, under the assumption of a collaboration with another company and a development beginning in 2010. Currently, the focus is regarding the second undertaking concerned on the Sikorsky company, which has already developed the CH -53K for the U.S. Marine Corps.

In May 2009, EU defense ministers decided to make this project a European project. In addition, representatives from the United States were invited.

A signed cooperation agreement in September 2012 with the Mobility business of Boeing makes for an investment of U.S. air carrier a sufficient market for Boeing and an interesting product for the condition.

In an answer to a major question of the SPD in April 2013 it was announced that a complete redesign, was rejected for cost reasons. A further development of existing helicopter systems is being investigated by the European Defence Agency.

Background

In order machines such as the CH -53 or to replace the Chinook, the NATO countries need a helicopter, which is the in the past steadily increased demands. These include, among others:

  • Portable rotor head with blades made ​​from high performance composite materials
  • Glass cockpit with four -axis autopilot and sensors for all-weather capability
  • Fly -by-wire or fly-by -light
  • Modular ballistic protection
  • Cell made of fiber-reinforced composites
  • Reduced signature

In spring 2004, Eurocopter stated that the FTH program would be ideally suited for international cooperation. Above all, a transatlantic partnership would be desirable to reduce the immense development and production costs.

Germany looks in the Lutz Bertling, former CEO of Eurocopter, a requirement of 40 pieces, while France wants to lose weight 20.

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