Eurocopter Dauphin

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SA 365 Dauphin 2
AS 365 Dauphin

Dauphin rescue helicopter on the deck of the Charles De Gaulle carrier (5th of June 2004)

Type transport/utility helicopter
Manufacturer Aérospatiale/Eurocopter
Primary users France
United States Coast Guard
Unit cost ~US$11.2M (2007)
Developed from Aérospatiale Dauphin
Variants HH-65 Dolphin
Eurocopter Panther
Eurocopter EC 155
Harbin Z-9

The Eurocopter Dauphin (Dolphin) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale).

Contents

[edit] Design and development

Developed from the single-engined Aérospatiale Dauphin variant, the Dauphin is one of Eurocopter's most successful designs and is widely used as a corporate transport, police, news media, emergency medical services and search & rescue helicopter. One of the distinctive features of the Dauphin is its fenestron tail rotor.

The military version of the Dauphin is the Eurocopter Panther. The Dauphin is also used by the United States Coast Guard under the designation HH-65 Dolphin.

The Dauphin is also manufactured in China under licence as the Z-9 by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation, and subsequently developed as the armed versions WZ-9 and WZ-9A-100.

More than 650 AS 365/366/565 versions have been produced or ordered, with the 500th Dauphin (counting all models) having been delivered in 1991. More than 20 EC 155s have been ordered.

[edit] Variants

Dauphin SA365N SP (Public Service) of the detachement in Hyères of the 32F wing of the French Navy
Dauphin SA365N SP (Public Service) of the detachement in Hyères of the 32F wing of the French Navy
Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin 2 rescue helicopter I-TNBB on Italian skiing area
Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin 2 rescue helicopter I-TNBB on Italian skiing area

Regarding the naming of the different variants, it should be noted that, until January 1990, the AS 365 models were designated as SA 365.

[edit] Civil Variants

SA 365C
This twin-engined version of the Dauphin, designated as the Dauphin 2, was announced in early 1973. The first flight of the first prototype took place on 24 January 1975, with production model deliveries starting in December 1978. In comparison with the earlier model, the SA 365 C features twin Arriel turboshafts with a new engine fairing, a Starflex main rotor hub and a higher maximum takeoff weight. Production of both the SA 360 and SA 365 C ceased in 1981, by which time approximately 40 SA 360s and 50 SA 365 Cs had been built. Both types were replaced by the SA 365 N (later updated to the AS 365 N1, with an uprated powerplant and composite fenestron).
AS 365N
This is a much improved version of the SA 365C Dauphin 2, the first prototype flying on 31 March 1979. This version introduced the more powerful Arriel 1C turboshafts, enlarged tail surfaces, revised transmission, main rotor, rotor mast fairing and engine cowling as well as a retractable tricycle undercarriage. Deliveries of the production model began in 1982.
AS 365N1/N2
This version introduced the upgraded Arriel 1C2 turboshafts, an improved gearbox, increased maximum take-off weight, redesigned cabin doors and a revised interior, Tail fin enlarged and new Fenestrom design of less blades with wider cord to reduce aircraft noise signature fitted, rear wheel moving undercarridge doors removed and replaced by simpler fairings. Deliveries of this version started in 1990. Licensed versions, called the Z-9 and Z-9A, were assembled in China.
AS 365N3
This version was developed for so-called "hot and high" circumstances and has Arriel 2C turboshafts equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). Also uprated main transmission for better MTOW and better single engine performance capabilities. Production deliveries began in December 1998 and this version is currently still in production.
AS 365N4
Produced as the EC 155.
EC 155B1
Eurocopter EC155 B1 at Paris Air Show 2007
Eurocopter EC155 B1 at Paris Air Show 2007
US Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin
US Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin
Main article: Eurocopter EC 155
This version was originally to follow the N3 as the AS 365 N4, and was announced at the 1997 Paris Airshow before being redesignated as the EC 155 B. As with the N3 version, it has twin Arriel 2Cs turboshafts equipped with FADEC as well as a five blade Spheriflex main rotor (Using the rotorhead from the Dauphin Grand Vittesse A.K.A The High Speed Dauphin), It also had a 40% larger main cabin (achieved with bulged doors and cabin plugs). The first flight of the first prototype took place on 17 June 1997 and this version is currently in production.
HH-65A Dolphin
Main article: HH-65 Dolphin
The SA 366G1 Dauphin version was selected by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in the early 1980s as its new air-sea rescue helicopter and given the designation HH-65A Dolphin. In total 99 helicopters, optimised for the USCG's search and rescue role tasks, were acquired.

[edit] Military versions

For a more detailed discussion of the military versions of the Dauphin, see: Eurocopter Panther.

AS 365F
Naval version.
AS 365F1
Naval version.
AS 365K
Military version of the twin engine AS.365N2.
AS 365M
Military version of the twin engine AS.365N2.

Military AS 365Ns are designated as AS 565 Panthers and are available in the following versions:

AS 565UA/UB
Utility versions.
AS 565AA/AB
Attack versions.
AS 565MA/MB
Naval search & rescue versions.
AS 565SA/SB
ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) versions.

[edit] Operators

Irish Air Corps SA 365F
Irish Air Corps SA 365F

[edit] Military Operators

Flag of Argentina Argentina
Flag of Brazil Brazil
Flag of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso
Flag of Cambodia Cambodia
Flag of Chile Chile
  • Coast Guard and Navy SAR (3 2-hand machines, total requirement of 8)
Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China
as variant Harbin Z-9
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo
Flag of Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire
Flag of the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
Flag of Fiji Fiji
Flag of France France
Flag of Greece Greece
Flag of Hong Kong Hong Kong
Flag of Ireland Ireland
Flag of Israel Israel
Flag of Malawi Malawi
Flag of Mexico Mexico
Flag of Morocco Morocco
Flag of Rwanda Rwanda
Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Flag of South Africa South Africa
Flag of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Flag of Switzerland Switzerland
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Flag of the United States United States
Flag of Uruguay Uruguay

[edit] Governmental / Law Enforcement operators

AS 365N Dauphin 2 of the Iceland Coast Guard
AS 365N Dauphin 2 of the Iceland Coast Guard
AS.365 Dauphin of the Hellenic Coast Guard
AS.365 Dauphin of the Hellenic Coast Guard
Flag of Australia Australia
  • Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service use it for search and rescue, medical transports and for delivering doctors and paramedics to accident scenes.
  • Victoria Police Air Wing operates a number of Dauphin AS 365 N3's and SA 365C's as a patrol helicopter as well as for search and rescue missions.
Flag of Brazil Brazil
Flag of Germany Germany
Flag of Hong Kong Hong Kong
Flag of India India
Flag of Iceland Iceland
Flag of Indonesia Indonesia
Flag of Malaysia Malaysia
Flag of Romania Romania
Flag of Thailand Thailand
Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan
Flag of the United States United States
  • Maryland State Police use it primarily as a search and rescue helicopter, though other law enforcement duties can be assigned to it.
  • West Michigan Air Care maintains a fleet of two Dauphin N2s for emergency air ambulance services.[1]
  • Miami Valley Hospital CareFlight; Dayton, OH ultizes three AS-365's as air ambulances.

[edit] Civilian operators

Flag of Belgium Belgium
  • North Sea Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV) based at Ostend International Airport. Primary role is shipping control, organ transport and various essential transport work.
Flag of France France
  • Heli-Union has many SA365 C, N and N3 all around the world for offshore operations
Flag of Indonesia Indonesia
  • Indonesia Air Transport, an aircraft charter company in Indonesia operates SA365 C2, AS 365N and AS 365 N2 helicopters mainly in Kalimantan for offshore operations.
Flag of the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates

[edit] Specifications (AS 365N3)

Data from {Eurocopter.com}[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 4-12 passengers
  • Length: 13.73 m (45 ft 0.6 in)
  • Rotor diameter: 11.94 m (39 ft 0.4 in)
  • Height: 4.06 m (13 ft 3.84 in)
  • Disc area: ft² (m²)
  • Empty weight: 2,389 kg (5,267 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
  • Powerplant:Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts, 800 hp (597 kW) each

Performance


[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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