Eurocopter EC120

Country of Origin: France

Type: Light utility helicopter

Powerplant: The Eurocopter EC120 Helicopter is supplied with power by Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft.

Weights: Empty 991kg (2185lb), max takeoff 1715 kg (3781lb).

Dimensions: Main rotor diameter 10m (32ft 8in), fuselage length 9.6m (31ft 5in), height 3.4 m (11ft 2in).

Capacity: Total accommodation for five, including one pilot and one passenger in the front, and three in rear seat.

History: The first EC120 B was delivered in 1998 and 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 EC120 B 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. In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120 B helicopters, with a further 5 aircraft since ordered.
In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the French Army’s new lead-in rotary-wing trainer, replacing the Aérospatiale Gazelle. 36 EC120 Bs equipped with Sagem avionics will be operated through a 22-year public-private partnership (PPP), with the first aircraft due to arrive in 2010.