The Ministry of Finance approved the acquisition of four heavy helicopters, as well as the supporting services and equipment required for their operation. The Ministry of Climate Crisis will be the beneficiary of the said acquisition.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the heavy helicopters can have dual use, as they can be used and contribute to the reinforcement of the Fire Service’s firefighting missions – with the capability of using an extinguishing agent (water, retarder, foam) – or to the reinforcement of the external cargo transport operations (e.g. equipment, vehicles, containers, etc.).

This acquisition is going to contribute to the upgrading of the country’s air fleet, aiming to cover and operationally address the modern rising needs of the Fire Service, achieving improved readiness, response, and overall adequacy of the Civil Protection Mechanism.

Technical specifications:

• Crew: 3 (pilot, co-pilot), plus a rear-facing operator during external cargo operations
• Payload capacity: up to 5 total people/cargo of 9,100 kg
• Length: 21.41 meters
• Height: 5.66 meters
• Empty weight: 8,724 kg
• Maximum take-off weight: 19,051 kg
• Power: 2 × Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-4A (T73-P-1) turbojet engines, 4,500 shp (3,400 kW) each
• Main rotor diameter: 21.95 meters
• Main rotor surface: 4,070 square feet
• Maximum speed: 202 km/h
• Cruising speed: 169 km/h
• Range: 370 km
• IGE S-64E hover ceiling: 3,200 meters
• IGE S-64A hover ceiling: 3,000 meters
• Ascent speed: 6.8 meters/sec

Source: enikos.gr

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