Airbus Helicopters delivers final EC135T2+ for Australian military training program

Airbus Helicopters has achieved Factory Acceptance of the last six of the EC135T2+ for the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), completing on-time deliveries of the full fleet of 15 helicopters. Under the JP9000 Phase 7 HATS project, a new joint helicopter training program for Navy and Army aircrew will utilise 15 EC135T2+ helicopters, along with flight simulators and a new flight-deck equipped sea-going training vessel. Boeing Defence Australia is the prime contractor for the new training system, partnered by Thales Australia who supplies the flight simulators and synthetic training devices. A member of the H135 family of light twin-engine helicopters, the EC135T2+ is an ideal training platform, and initial flying activities have commenced at their new home in Nowra, Australia.