Eurocopter EC155

EC155 / H155
Role	Passenger Transport Helicopter
Manufacturer	Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters
First flight	17 June 1997
Introduction	March 1999
Unit cost	US$10 million, €7.5 million
Developed from	Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin
Developed into	Eurocopter X3

The Eurocopter EC155, now Airbus Helicopters H155, is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from its Dauphin family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport, offshore support, VIP corporate transport and casualty transport duties. In 2015, the EC155 was formally renamed to the H155, in line with Eurocopter's corporate rebranding as Airbus Helicopters.

Originally designated AS365 N4, the EC155 was developed from the Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2 with the aim of significantly increasing the cabin space of the Dauphin. Development began in September 1996 with the helicopter officially announced by Eurocopter at the Paris Air Show in June 1997. The first EC155 helicopter, a modified Dauphin airframe, made its maiden flight at Marignane on 17 June 1997 and the first pre-production EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998. The aircraft received safety certification by the French & German Civil Aviation Authorities on 11 December 1998 and went into production soon after, with a price tag of US$7–8 million depending on installed equipment.

In March 1999, deliveries of the EC155 B commenced, the German Federal Police became the first operator of the type. Between March 1999 and June 2003, roughly 50 EC155 Dauphins were sold, mainly to VIP and off-shore customers.

The EC155 B1 was developed with more powerful engines, giving it improved performance at high altitude and in hot temperature conditions; this derivative also features a higher maximum take-off weight (10,846 lb vs. 10,580 lb). Deliveries of this model began in November 2002 with the Hong Kong Government Flying Service becoming the first operator. In early 2003, Eurocopter completed studies for an even more powerful version of the EC155 B1, designed to better compete with new rotorcraft such as the AgustaWestland AW139 and to better meet military customer's requirements.