Previously known as Eurocopter, Airbus Helicopters manufactures helicopters for corporate/VIP, medical transport, law enforcement, tourism, and other markets. Airbus Helicopters is one of three divisions belonging to Airbus SE, a world-leading commercial aircraft (Airbus Commercial Aircraft) and space and defense developer and manufacturer.
In addition to Eurocopter-branded helicopters still in the market, Airbus Helicopters newer helicopter models range from the five-seat, light, single-turbine-engine H120 to the 19-seat, heavy, twin-engine H225. In between is the H135, billed as the world’s best-selling light, twin helicopter.
Eurocopter’s origins date to the late 1960s when Vought Helicopter starting marketing helicopters in North America for French manufacturer Aerospatiale. The latter would purchase Vought in 1974 and eventually rename the company Aerospatiale Helicopter Corp. In 1992, a merger of the helicopter departments belonging to German-based DASA and Aerospatiale resulted in the Europe-based Eurocopter and U.S.-based American Eurocopter.
Another merger in 2000 involving Aérospatiale, CASA, and DASA led to EADS, or European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company. Following a company reorganization in 2014, EADS would eventually become Airbus SE. Airbus Helicopters is based in The Netherlands, and the American subsidiary, Airbus Helicopters, Inc., is based in Grand Prairie, Texas.