12th AIRCRAFT SQUADRON

The designation P3H on our H135 helicopters (dubbed ‘NIVAL’ in the Spanish Navy) indicates that it is powered by a Pratt & Whitney engine. It is the third evolution of the H135 with a maximum take-off weight of 2,950 kg and a maximum alternate take-off weight of 3,100 kg, and features the ‘Helionix’ software, which is the main distinguishing feature of this version.

The ‘Helionix’ software is common to all Airbus helicopters and allows the crew to manage the platform and flight at all times, enabling them to focus more on the mission.

The H135 P3H is a light helicopter (according to EASA a light helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 3,175 kg), well-established, with many flight hours, and managed with newly created software that allows the crew to carry out operations in previously unfeasible conditions without taking considerable risks, since the crew can continuously monitor the platform and the mission, facilitating flight management and situational awareness.

The helicopter is equipped with mission kits that provide great versatility. However, being a lightweight helicopter, it cannot carry all mission kits installed at once, but they can be swapped out within an hour. The mission kits primarily consist of a Wescam MX-10 electro-optical camera, a Telephonics RDR-1600 radar, a Goodrich hoist, a Bucher MEDEVAC system, a barycentric hook, and fast rope and rappelling mounts.

Regarding avionics, the H135 P3H incorporates all the avionics equipment typical of a modern helicopter, including the capability to perform PBN (Performance-Based Navigation) approaches.

The Squadron was established with two fundamental missions: training and support. Within its training mission, it provides orientation for students at the Naval Academy (ENM in its Spanish initials), conducts preparatory training for pilots who will undertake the AVP Course, participates in part of the Naval Helicopter Pilot Course, and supports courses for skippers, signalmen, HCOs, CHMs, and CTAMs.

Regarding its support missions, within the framework of operations with ships, it actively participates in their training and qualifications and is employed in Maritime Surveillance and Security missions. In support of Marine Corps units, it collaborates in the training of snipers and in insertion/extraction techniques (Fast Rope/Rappel).

It is also used for personnel and/or equipment transport, operations with external loads using cranes and barycentric hooks, search and rescue, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The 12th Squadron was established on February 6, 2023. The Squadron's first flight took place on December 11, 2023, with NIVAL 1201 and 1202, the latter serving to transport the aircraft from the Airbus facilities in Albacete to the Fleet Air Arm at the Rota Naval Base.

On November 2, 2024, the Operational Evaluation (EVALO) process for the H135 P3H was completed. This process included: an Operational Evaluation in port; an Initial Qualification Campaign on Ships (CCIB) aboard the OPV ‘Meteoro’, where both the OPV itself and the NIVAL 01 were instrumented; the deployment of the first experimental NIVAL aboard the LPD ‘Galicia’; an Operational Evaluation in flight on the OPV ‘Relámpago’ with wind chart surveys; and the deployment of the first UNADEST at the Naval Academy (ENM), where the midshipmen's familiarization flights were conducted.

From October 3 to December 5, 2024, the first operational deployment of an H135 P3H from the 12th Squadron was completed aboard the AOR ‘Cantabria’ during Operation ‘Noble Shield’.