Eurocopter Fennec
| AS 550/AS 555 Fennec | |
|---|---|
| |
| Argentine Navy AS555 SN Fennec 2 | |
| Role | Light multipurpose helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale Eurocopter |
| Introduction | 1990 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary users | French Army French Air Force Argentine Navy Royal Malaysian Navy |
| Developed from | Eurocopter AS350 Eurocopter AS355 |
The Eurocopter AS550 Fennec and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group. Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the Fennec Fox. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.
Operational History
In February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth 500 million USD.[1] This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007.[2] The contract is now being re-competed, and the AS550 C3 is among the helicopters competing for the deal.
Variants
- Single engine
- AS350 L1/L2 Ecureuil - Original military variants of AS350.
- AS550 C2 Fennec - Armed version based on AS350 B2.
- AS550 U2 Fennec - Unarmed version based on AS350 B2.
- AS550 C3 Fennec - Armed version based on AS350 B3.
- Twin engine
- AS355 M/M2 Ecureuil 2 - Original military variants of AS355 F.
- AS555 AF Fennec 2 - Armed version based on AS355 N.
- AS555 AN Fennec 2 - Armed military version, can be fitted with a 20 mm cannon.
- AS555 AR Fennec 2 - Armed with cannon and rockets.
- AS555 MN Fennec 2 - Unarmed naval version.
- AS555 MR Fennec 2 - Naval version.
- AS555 SN Fennec 2 - Armed naval version.
- AS555 SR Fennec 2 - Armed naval version.
- AS555 UN Fennec 2 - Training and uility version.
- AS555 UR Fennec 2 - Utility version.
- AS555 SP Fennec 2 - Naval version of AS355 NP.
Operators
- Argentine Navy : AS555 SN as embarked helicopter
- Brazilian Army : AS555 C2
- Colombian Navy : AS555 SN as anti-surface warfare helicopter
- Royal Danish Army : AS550 C2 as armed scout and anti-tank helicopter
- Ecuadorian Air Force : AS555 AN as utility helicopter
- French Air Force: AS555 AN as training and liaison helicopters
- French Army: AS555 UN as training helicopter
- Royal Malaysian Navy: AS555 SN as anti-surface warfare helicopter
- Mexican Navy: AS555 AF as embarked helicopter
- Policia Federal
- Pakistan Army : AS550 as used for light transport
Specifications (AS550 C3)
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General Characteristics
- Crew: 1/2
- Weight(Empty): 1,241 kg (2,736 lbs)
- Weight(Full): 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs), or 2,800 kg (6,172 lbs) with external load
- Length: 12.94 m (42.45 ft)
- Height: 3.24 m (10.63 ft)
- Rotordiameter: 10.69 m (35.07 ft)
- Engine: 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 2B or 2B1 turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)
Performance
- Top Speed: 259 km/h (150 knots VNE)
- Operation Radius: 328 km (178 nm)
- Flight Time: 4 hr 18 min
Armament
- BGM-71 TOW
- 7 x 2.75in Forges de Zeebrugge or 12 x 68 mm Thales Brandt rockets
- 20 mm Giat M621 cannon 20 mm cannon
- Fabrique Nationale de Herstal twin 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun pods
- Various types of torpedoes.
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ "Eurocopter wins big Indian Army deal". Kalingatimes.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
- ^ India scraps 600 million dollar Eurocopter deal
External links
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