In a significant enhancement to its helicopter fleet, DRF Luftrettung, a leading German helicopter emergency medical services operator, has entered into an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for the acquisition of up to ten H145 helicopters. This agreement, announced in Anaheim on 27 February 2024, includes seven firm orders and the option for three additional helicopters.
Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung, highlighted the importance of this expansion for the organisation’s mission, stating, “It is the mission of DRF Luftrettung to continuously improve medical care for people in need. With the new order of ten additional H145s, we continue to ensure the optimal service for our patients by keeping the helicopter fleet as modern and flexible as possible for our life-saving missions.”
Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters, expressed gratitude for the continued confidence that DRF Luftrettung places in their helicopters. He emphasised the instrumental role of the H145 in DRF Luftrettung’s operations, noting, “We are proud to see that over the last decade the H145 has become the backbone of DRF Luftrettung’s fleet performing life-saving missions in Germany and Europe.”
The newly ordered helicopters will be incorporated into DRF Luftrettung’s existing HCare Smart contract with Airbus, which delivers parts-by-the-hour support across the entire fleet. This agreement underscores the organisation’s commitment to maintaining a high state of readiness and reliability for critical medical emergency missions.
DRF Luftrettung is recognised as one of Europe’s most extensive and experienced air rescue organisations. Operating over 50 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters, the organisation’s reach spans 40 bases across Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switserland. These helicopters are crucial for emergency rescue, intensive care transport, and specialised missions such as hoist operations, and operations conducted during both day and night.
The H145 model, a cornerstone of Airbus’ helicopter fleet, is renowned for its new five-bladed rotor that enhances the aircraft’s load capacity by 150 kg. The design simplifies maintenance, boosts reliability, and improves comfort for passengers and crew. The H145, powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, is equipped with a comprehensive digital avionics suite and a 4-axis autopilot, designed to increase safety and reduce pilot workload. Its low acoustic footprint and reduced CO2 emissions position the H145 as a leader in its class for environmental considerations.
With more than 1,675 H145 family helicopters in service worldwide, accumulating over 7.6 million flight hours, this model continues to be a pivotal asset for various critical missions, including the life-saving operations conducted by DRF Luftrettung.
