Performance characteristics of the European EC-135 helicopter: The EC-135 helicopter combines Eurocopter's patented low-noise ducted tail propeller technology. The ten blades of the ducted tail propeller are arranged in an asymmetrical arrangement with different spacing, which fundamentally reduces helicopter noise. The main rotor is made of four blades, no bearings and high-strength fiber composite materials.
The built-in anti-resonance isolation system also has a good effect on reducing vibration and noise levels. As a civilian operation model, the external noise level of the EC-135 is 6dB lower than the regulatory requirements, allowing operation over large residential areas and hospitals.
Due to its reliable twin-engine design and low noise advantages, the EC-135 is favored in police law enforcement use, such as the Spanish police department; the German Federal Border Police, Bavaria and Saxony state police; the United States Tel Aviv Regional Police in Sri Lanka; and also operates within police departments in Sweden, Ireland, Chile, Kuwait and the United Kingdom. Helicopters are used for patrols, aerial surveillance, transporting VIPs and dignitaries, and also play an important role in urban firefighting.
McAlpin Helicopter Company, established in Oxford, England, equips helicopters with police operating equipment and systems to meet the mission needs of the police department. A typical equipment package includes an under-fuselage surveillance pod with day and night channels, a forward-looking infrared camera, a multi-sensor turret, SX-16 searchlights, a loudspeaker system, a secure communications suite using microwave sound and Data downlinks, lifting hooks, a rescue hoist and medical evacuation components.
Options include the provision of a rappelling system. A television and camera system can be installed in the passenger cabin, as well as cabin doors and observation windows for surveillance operations.