Further to the '
H brand renaming,' the AS332 C1e/L1e has now "evolved" into the
H215 (not to be confused with the
H125).
Perhaps more interesting, from the perspective of the new naming philosophy, is the
low-key launch of a further iteration of the H135 (ex-EC135) during
Helitech.
Vertical reports that this latest variant will feature a redesigned aft cabin roof offering an additional 5.8 cu. ft. of volume (enabled by the elimination of the old-style frontal engine air intakes in favor of lateral intakes on the H135, and the subsequent re-positioning of avionics gear), plus the Helionix avionics suite and a 4-axis autopilot.
So now we will have
four aircraft using the same H135 designation:
- The Turbomeca-powered model formally known as the EC135 T3 (which was first delivered last October)
- The Pratt & Whitney Canada-powered model formally known as the EC135 P3 (which was first delivered in March)
- The TM-powered version of the updated H135
- The P&WC-powered version of the updated H135.
Gonna be interesting to see how long this new 'suffix-free' naming convention lasts, given the confusion that the EC145 (ex-EC145e) is
already generating...
I/C