With its army designation "VBH" (Verbindungshubschrauber; 'connection chopper'), it is a light transport and surveillance helicopter. Multi-purpose single-rotor helicopter, twin-engined with a skid-type landing gear for a wide range of applications, such as:
- General utility missions
- Executive transport
- Offshore operations
- Law enforcement operations
- Military operations
Features:
- Hingeless rotor "System Bölkow" with titanium rotor head, fiberglass reinforced plastic main rotor blades, anti erosion strips
- High-set semi-rigid two-blade tail rotor with fiberglass reinforced plastic tail rotor blades, with anti-erosion strips
- Twin engine safety using two MTU-Allison 250-C20B turbines
- Practical and modern airframe with spacious cabin and large cargo compartment
- Maximum weight 2.300 kg
Performance and weights
| Power Plant | Two MTU-Allison engines | 250-C20B | ||
| (ISA,SL) | Take-off power (5min.) (T.O.P) | 313kW (420 shp) | ||
| Max Continuous power (M.C.P) | 298kW (400 shp) | |||
| Main Transmission | FS-110 | |||
| Take-off/Max. continuous | 2 x 257 kW (2 x 345 shp) | |||
| Single engine operation | 1 x 283 kW (1 x 380 shp) | |||
| Performance | Take-off gross weight | 2100 kg (4,630lb) | 2300 kg (5,070lb) |
| (ISA) | Maximum speed Vne at sea level | 270 km/h (145 kts) | 270 km/h (145 kts) |
| Maximum cruising speed at sea level | 245 km/h (132 kts) | 242 km/h (131 kts) | |
| Rate of climb at sea level (M.C.P) | 10.2 m/sec (2,000 ft/min) | 8.6 m/sec (1,700 ft/min) | |
| Vertical rate of climb at sea level (T.O.P) | 7.1 m/sec (1,400 ft/min) | 4.2 m/sec (825 ft/min) | |
| Hover ceiling IGE (T.O.P) | 3660 m (12,000 ft) | 2865 m (9,400 ft) | |
| Hover ceiling OGE (T.O.P) | 2805 m (9,200 ft) | 1980 m (6,500 ft) | |
| Maximum operating altitude | 5182 m (17,000 ft) | 5182 m (17,000 ft) | |
| Single engine service ceiling with 100 ft/min climb reserve (T.O.P) | 2010 m (6,600 ft) | 1120 m (4,000 ft) | |
| Range with max. payload and standard fuel capacity at sea level (no reserve) | 590 km (318 nm) | 580 km (314 nm) | |
| Endurance with max. payload and standard fuel capacity at sea level (no reserve) | 3.8 h | 3.6 h | |
| Ferry range with 2 long range fuel tanks of 200 lts. each at sea level (no reserve) | 1015 km (548 nm) | 1005 km (543 nm) |
| Weights | Maximum gross weight | 2300 kg (5070 lb) | ||
| Weight empty, basic version | 1276 kg (2814 lb) | |||
| Useful load | 1224 kg (2697 lb) | |||
| Standard fuel capacity | 456 kg (1005 lb) | |||
| Fuel capacity with aux. tanks | 776 kg (1711 lb) | |||