Story ID: 
DRF Luftrettung Expands Airbus Air Ambulance Fleet
By: Mark Huber
Caption: German air ambulance provider DRF Luftrettung has ordered more Airbus H145 helicopters and additional services from the manufacturer.
Word Count: 205
German Helicopter Emergency Medical Services operator DRF Luftrettung has ordered two additional Airbus H145 helicopters and signed a contract covering its entire fleet with HDataPower pack from the Airbus connected services.The HDataPower pack is a set of digital services designed to improve flight availability and operational safety.

The two H145s are in addition to DRF’s current fleet of 15 H145s and three H135s already ordered in 2020 to replace its legacy fleet of BK117 and EC145 helicopters. Eleven of the helicopters have already been delivered and the remainder will be delivered by the end of 2024. DRF and its subsidiaries operate more than 50 Airbus helicopters at 37 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. In addition, it is the largest H145 civil operator in Europe.

Adding HDataPower to the fleet is designed to improve safety and efficiency. “By leveraging the data generated from helicopter systems, connected services provide in-depth analysis of flight, maintenance and logistics operations and set the stage for improvement actions and time savings. Prime examples are flight analyzer, which supports operational safety, and connectivity devices such as wACS, our wireless airborne communication system,” said Airbus Helicopters executive v-p of customer support and services Christoph Zammert.