This period was marked by a renewal of the company’s helicopter range and the expansion of its international presence by creating numerous subsidiaries.

1997

4 March > Maiden flight of the AS350 B3 Ecureuil/AStar, successor to the Lama. Its powerful engine predestines it for aerial work. Eight years later, it broke the world record for the highest takeoff altitude from the summit of Mount Everest.

17 June > Maiden flight of the EC155. In addition to a new engine and a Fenestron tail rotor, this revised version of the Dauphin provides 40% more cabin space.

2 July > First fly-by-wire flight of the NH90, the world’s first helicopter to be equipped with a fly-by-wire control system.

Eurocopter Philippines Inc. is formed. Based in Manila, the company is jointly owned by Eurocopter (70%) and PADC (30%).

1998

22 July > Aerospatiale announces its privatisation by way of a merger with the Lagardère subsidiary Matra Hautes Technologies.

17 November > DaimlerChrysler makes its stock market debut. Its subsidiary Dasa, a Eurocopter shareholder, is renamed DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG.

1999

11 June > The Aerospatiale Matra group is founded.

12 June > Maiden flight of the EC145, successor to the BK117. The EC145 offers an increased maximum takeoff weight and payload capacity.

24 June > Maiden flight of the EC130. This new member of the Ecureuil/AStar family offers more cabin space and reduced noise levels.