Crew
Capacity Length Height Rotor diameter Empty weight Gross weight Max takeoff weight Cruise speed Never exceed speed Range Ferry range Service ceiling Rate of climb Armament |
1 or 2
Up to 1 + 9 troops or 1,905 kg payload 13.03 metres 3.45 metres 11 metres 1,792 kg 3,585 kg 3,650 kg 240 km/h 268 km/h 680 km (370 nmi) 855 km (462 nmi) 5,240 metres 8.1 m/s Optional door gun mount Optional stub wing weapons mounting |
The H145M Bobcat is the Armed Service's light utility helicopter, having taken the role from the storied Kiowa light helicopters.
The Bobcat is used in roles including:
The helicopter utilises a two-engine design, and completed its first flight with the rpedecessor BKK model in 1979. The fuselage is construted of light alloy material with a large composite intermediate structure and cowlings. The compact fuselage is strengthened for crashworthiness. Additionally, crew and passengers are protected by removable armour plating. Bobcat is equipped with bearingless 'Blue Edge' five-bladed main rotors, and a fenestron shrouded tail rotor for safety and performance. The diameter of the main rotor system is 11 metres. The five-blade arrangement provides a very low level of vibration. The rotors and horizontal stabiliser can be equipped with an anti-icing and de-icing system. The helicopter is powered by two Arriel turboshaft engines, each providing 550kW of power. Each engine, complete with systems and accessories, is independent. An infrared suppression system is installed to reduce the thermal signature of the helicopter. The engines are equipped with dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), while protective air intake grids prevent ingestion of debris into the engines. Bobcat's multiple gearboxes have been developed for increased reliability and efficiently and feature an emergency lubrication spray installed in the gearboxes to allow a 30-minute flight with no oil. The helicopter has energy-absorbing skid landing gear. Emergency floatation units and/or skis can be installed on the landing gear. Inside the cockpit, Bobcat is equipped with an all-glass cockpit, utilising modern avionics and an integrated display system including full battlefield management capabilities. The cockpit display suite includes two fully-interchangeable (6 x 8-inch) multifunction displays and a third dedicated to Flight and Navigation systems. Each screen has autonomous computation. One central Vehicle Monitoring System provides up-to-date engine and vehicle data. The advanced helicopter cockpit and avionics system (AHCAS) includes an automatic flight control system, integrating flight, navigation and tactical mission data. Bobcat is equipped with radar and FLIR (forward-looking infrared) for day and night-time SAR capabilities. The navigation suite includes Doppler radar, global positioning system and inertial navigation system. The cabin of the aircraft can roll-on roll-off capabilities which can allow for up to 10 passengers in crash strengthened seats. The crew consists of the pilot, copilot; normally an assistant loadmaster joins the crew. The loadmasters may be charged with operating a door-mounted 7.62 general purpose machine guns or other weapon directed to the port and starboard. In the role of an armed scout, an external eapons system can be installed allowing for the mouting of a combination of:
The helicopter integrates self-sealing fuel tanks. Additional capabilities include:
|