The third and final Airbus H135 helicopter has arrived at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, completing the upgraded fleet of aircraft used for security operations at the Florida spaceport. This one arrived March 11, 2021, joining the two other H135 helicopters, which arrived in September 2020. Coming from Columbus, Mississippi, the Airbus helicopters replace the Bell Huey 2 aircraft that had been in service at Kennedy for the last 30 years. Maintained by the center’s Flight Operations team, the Airbus H135 helicopters provide expanded medical and security capabilities while improving the team’s ability to safely perform operations.
One of the biggest differences between the H135s and the older, single-engine aircraft is that the Airbus helicopters have two engines. This allows teams to fly further offshore when providing launch support. Additional improvements include built-in mounts for medical equipment, upgraded camera systems, quieter and more stable camera platforms, and the ability to transport injured personnel, if necessary, during inclement weather.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett