This technology demonstrator, powered by 2 Allison 250-C20R3 turboshafts of 450 shp each, flew October 15, 1988 for the first time. It was followed by the second demonstrator (D-HBEC c/n VT-002) with 480 shp Turbomeca TM 319 Arrius 1B1 engines on June 5, 1991. The model was developed into the Eurocopter EC 135, with a ducted tail-rotor.

The second prototype (D-HBEC) is on display in the Hubschraubermuseum in Germany.