Eurocopter AS565 Panther

AS565 Panther
Israeli Air Force AS565 MA
Role Military utility and armed assault helicopter
Manufacturer Aérospatiale (originally)
Eurocopter
First flight 29 February 1984
Status In production
Primary users Brazil
France
Developed from Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin

The Eurocopter AS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).

Contents

Variants

SA 365 FK
Original designation of SA 365 K.
SA 365 K
The first version of the Panther, based on the AS365 N2. Offered with various armaments, including podded Giat M621 20 mm cannon, 2.75 in Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ) rockets (in pods of 19) or 68mm Thales Brandt rockets (in pods of 22).
AS565 UA
Utility version of the AS365 N2
AS565 UB
Utility version of the AS365 N3, currently in production. This version is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts, which are equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The main missions of this version are transport of 8 to 10 fully equipped troops, casualty evacuation and logistic support.
AS565 AA
Attack version of the AS365 N2.
AS565 AB
Attack version of the AS365 N3.
AS565 MA
Naval search & rescue version of the AS365 N2.
AS565 MB
Naval search & rescue version of the AS365 N3, currently in production. The main missions of this version are anti-surface vessel warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), troop transport, logistic support, and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC)/medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). This version is fitted with a quick-securing 'Harpoon' deck securing device that allows it to land on and take off from ships, whatever the relative wind direction. Offered with various armaments, including cabin-mounted 20mm cannon, AS 15 TT anti-shipping missile, Mark 46 torpedo and Whitehead A.244/S torpedo.
The naval variant of the Eurocopter AS 565MB Panther is in service in the United Arab Emirates, the Icelandic Coast Guard, the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, the Israeli Defence Force, the Mexican Navy, the Chinese Navy and the French Navy. Armed and unarmed versions of the army variant of the helicopter are in service with the Brazilian Army.[1]
AS565 SA
ASW version of the AS365 N2.
AS565 SB
ASW version of the AS365 N3.
AS565 CA
Anti-tank version of the AS365 N2, armed with HOT missiles.
AS565 N3
Maritime patrol and surveillance version of the AS365 N3 for the Hellenic Coast Guard
AS565 SC
Search and rescue version for Saudi Arabia.
HM-1 Panteras
HM-1 Pantera is version based on the AS565 AA and is licence-built by Helibras for the Brazilian Army.[2]
Panther 800
Version offered for the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter program as a replacement for the UH-1 Huey, with 2 LHTEC T800 turboshafts. Test flown only.[3]
Harbin Z-9
The Harbin Z-9 and its variants are license-built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation for the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Operators

 Brazil
 Bulgaria
 People's Republic of China
 Republic of China
 France
 Israel
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Sri Lanka
 United Arab Emirates
 United Kingdom
 United States

Specifications (AS365 MB Panther)

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General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ AS 565MB Naval Variant service notes.
  2. ^ "Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin and AS 565 Panther (International)" [subscription article]. Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems. Jane's Information Group, 17 March 2011.
  3. ^ Vought Panther 800 LUH page
  4. ^ http://www.semar.gob.mx/transparencia/informes_labores/2_inf_labores.pdf
  5. ^ http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jni/jni081203_1_n.shtml

External links

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