- Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
-
SA 365 Dauphin 2
AS365 Dauphin
French Navy AS365 F Dauphin rescue helicopter on the deck of the Charles De Gaulle carrier (5 June 2004) Role transport/utility helicopter Manufacturer Aérospatiale (originally)
EurocopterPrimary users Pawan Hans
Maryland State PoliceUS Coast Guard
Unit cost <US$10M, €7.5M Developed from Aérospatiale SA 360 Variants HH-65 Dolphin
Eurocopter Panther
Eurocopter EC 155
Harbin Z-9The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 (Dolphin) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale).
Contents
Design and development
Developed from the single-engined Aérospatiale SA 360 Dauphin variant, the SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is one of Eurocopter's most successful designs and is widely used as a corporate transport, airborne law enforcement platform, emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter, electronic news gathering platform, 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/MH-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 800 AS365/366/565 versions have been produced or ordered, with the 500th Dauphin (counting all models) having been delivered in 1991. More than 90 EC155s have been delivered.
Variants
Eurocopter AS365 N2 Dauphin used by Child Flight
Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2 rescue helicopter I-TNBB on Italian skiing areaRegarding the naming of the different variants, it should be noted that, until January 1990, the AS365 models were designated as SA 365.
Civil variants
- SA 365 C
- 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 featured twin 470 kW (630 shp) Arriel 1 turboshafts in a new engine fairing, a Starflex main rotor hub and a higher maximum takeoff weight (3,400 kg or 7,495 lb). The aircraft's Fenestron anti-torque device featured 13 metal blades. Production of both the SA 360 and SA 365 C ceased in 1981, by which time approximately 40 SA 360s and 50 SA 365 C/C1s had been built. Both types were replaced by the SA 365 N.
- SA 365 C1
- Minor upgrade of the SA 365 C powered by Arriel 1A1.
- AS365 N (originally SA 365 N)
- This is a much improved version of the SA 365 C Dauphin 2, the first prototype flying on 31 March 1979. This version introduced the uprated 492 kW (660 shp) Arriel 1C turboshafts, a retractable tricycle undercarriage, enlarged tail surfaces, and revised transmission, main rotor, rotor mast fairing and engine cowlings. The aircraft's initial M.T.O.W. of 3,850 kg (8,488 lb) was later raised to 4,000 kg (8,819 lb). Deliveries of the production model began in 1982.
- AS365 N1
- Incorporating many of the improvements developed for the SA 366 G1 (HH-65 Dolphin), this version introduced upgraded 526 kW (705 shp) Arriel 1C1 turboshafts, an improved 11-blade Fenestron with wider-cord blades (which reduced the AS365 N1's noise signature), movable undercarridge doors replaced by simplified fairings and a higher gross weight of 4,100 kg (9,039 lb).
- AS365 N2
- This version – designated AS365 N2 from the outset – introduced the upgraded 549 kW (737 shp) Arriel 1C2 turboshafts, an uprated gearbox, increased maximum take-off weight of 4,250 kg (9,370 lb), redesigned cabin doors and revised interior, enlarged tail fin with all composite Fenestron. Deliveries of this version started in 1990. Licensed versions, called the Z-9 and Z-9A, were assembled in China.
- AS365 N3
- The high-performance AS365 N3 was developed for operations in 'hot and high' climates, and introduced 635 kW (851 shp) Arriel 2C turboshafts equipped with a single channel DECU (Digital Engine Control Unit) with manual reversion, mated to an uprated main transmission for better single engine performance. The AS365 N3 also features a redesigned ten blade composite Fenestron anti-torque device with asymimmetic blade distribution, offering a further reduction in noise signature. The AS365 N3's gross weight is 4,300 kg (9,480 lb). Production deliveries began in December 1998 and this version is currently still in production.
- AS365 N4
- Produced as the EC155.
- AS365 X
- Better known as the DGV 200 or Dauphin Grand Vitesse (High Speed Dauphin), the AS365 X was developed from the X-380 DTP (Developpement Technique Probatoire or Probatory Technical Development) testbed, first flown on 20th March 1989. The aircraft was first flown in the AS365 X configuration two years later in March 1991, and featured a smaller Fenestron, a new main rotor with five high-inertia blades with swept tips, a composite rotor hub/mast and 624 kW (837 shp) Turbomeca Arriel IX turboshafts. On 19 November 1991, this aircraft set a Class E1e (3,000 to 4,500 kg) speed record of 201 knots (372 km/h or 231 mph) over a 3 km triangular course.
- EC155 B/B1
Eurocopter EC155 B1 at Paris Air Show 2007
US Coast Guard HH-65A DolphinMain article: Eurocopter EC 155- This version was originally to follow the N3 as the AS365 N4, and was announced at the 1997 Paris Airshow before being redesignated as the EC155 B. As with the N3 version, it has two Arriel 2C/2C2 turboshafts equipped with FADEC as well as a five blade Spheriflex main rotor (derived from the AS365 X DGV). It also features a 30% 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 (as the EC155 B1).
Military versions
- AS565 Panther
- See Eurocopter AS565 Panther
- MH/HH-65 Dolphin
Main article: Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin- The SA 366 G1 Dauphin version was selected by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in 1979 as its new air-sea rescue helicopter and given the designation HH-65A Dolphin. In total 99 helicopters, optimised for the USCG's short-range recovery (SRR) search and rescue role, were initially acquired, with additional aircraft later procured.
Operators
SA 365 F originally operated by the Irish Air CorpsMilitary operators
- Coast Guard
- Coast Guard and Navy SAR (3 second-hand machines bought on civil market, plus four former Irish Air Corps acquired by the end of 2008. Total requirement of 8)
People's Republic of China- as variant Harbin Z-9 and WZ-9 by the PLAAF, PLANF and PLAGF
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Dominican Republic
Fiji
France
- Irish Air Corps – Former operator.
- Flag Officer Sea Training
- 8 Flight Army Air Corps Four helicopters, supporting SAS missions.
Governmental / Law Enforcement operators
Dauphin 2 of the Victoria Police Air Wing.
AS365 N2 Dauphin 2 of the Icelandic Coast Guard- Victoria Police Air Wing operates 3 AS365N3 Dauphin as patrol and air ambulance helicopters, as well as for search and rescue missions.
- Western Australia Police Air Wing operates a single AS365 N3 for patrol helicopter and search and rescue operations. 1
- Government of State of Rio de Janeiro - one AS365 N1 in CAOA (Coordenadoria Adjunta de Operações Aéreas - Assistant Air Operations)
- Government Flying Service - active fleet; 5 Eurocopter EC 155 inherited from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force with 1 lost in a crash.
- Icelandic Coast Guard, although currently only operating a rental Dauphin. Originally owned a Dauphin which has since been lost in a crash.
- Arunachal Pradesh Department of Civil Aviation
- Arunachal Helicopter Service owns only one Dauphin for public transportation around Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Directorate of Civil Aviaiton owns and operates one Dauphin AS365N3 in VIP configuaration.
- Tokyo Fire Department operates three AS365s as medium range fire fighting and rescue helicopters.[2]
- National Police Agency (Japan) operates 8 AS365s.[3]
- City of Yokohama operates two AS365N2 for fire fighting and rescue purposes.[4]
- Chiba City operates two AS365N3 for fire-extinguishing and rescue purposes.[5][6]
- Osaka City operates two AS365N3 for fire-fighting and rescue purposes.[3]
- Fukuoka City operates two AS365s for fighting against various disasters.[3][7]
- Saitama Prefecture operates one AS365N3 for fire-fighting and rescue purposes.[3][8]
- Kuwait Police
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Coast Guard utility and SAR)
- Romanian Intelligence Service
- Romanian Government
- Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera (Customs Service))
- Operated by Swiss Air Force for governmental and VIP transport
- Taiwan Coast Guard
- Maryland State Police operates 12 SA/AS365s, primarily as a search and rescue helicopter and emergency medical services platform, though other law enforcement and homeland security duties can be assigned to them.
Civilian operators
All Nippon Helicopter AS365 N2
Helicsa AS365 N2 at Costa Norte Heliport in Viveiro.- Child Flight used as emergency transport for sick children in rural New South Wales which need medical treatment in Sydney.
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service use it for search and rescue, medical transports and for delivering doctors and paramedics to accident scenes.
- North Sea Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV) based at heliport near Ostend International Airport. Primary role is shipping control, oil & gas operations, medical flights and various essential transport work. Operates with 2 AS365 N2's and 8 AS365 N3's
- CHC Scotia operates 7 AS365s for offshore support and search & rescue.
- One example with Aerofan S.A.
- Heli-Union, the biggest civilian operator of the Dauphin, has 21 AS 365 C2, C3, N2 and N3 all around the world for offshore operations
- Pawan Hans operate approximately 28 SA/AS365s
- Search and Rescue, Maritime Surveillance.[9]
- Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trento [10] utilizes two AS365 N3 for health emergency, mountain rescue, fire service and various civil defence activities.
- Indonesia Air Transport, an aircraft charter company in Indonesia operates SA 365 C2, AS365 N and AS365 N2 helicopters mainly in Kalimantan for offshore operations.
- All Nippon Helicopter, a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways, operates 6 AS365 N2s for news gathering of NHK.
- One is currently in service with Heli Air Monaco.
- Aero Contractors of Nigeria operate 10 AS365s for passenger transportation.
- AS365 N and N3 by Tunisavia used mainly for the offshore oil and gas drilling projects.
- Helicsa
- Scandinavian Medicopter operates two AS365 N3 and two N2 for airborne medical transports.
- 2 AS365 N3 helicopters ordered by Falcon Aviation Services in 2007.[14]
- PDG Helicopters supporting Qinetiq & Great North Air Ambulance
- Bond Offshore Helicopters based in Norwich and Blackpool operating a fleet of 4 AS365 N3 for offshore operations.
- NHV helicopters offshore operation based in norwich.
- Miami Valley Hospital CareFlight, Dayton, OH utilizes two AS365 N3s and one AS365 N2 as air ambulances, and is reconditioning its original SA365 N to be a backup.
- Samaritan Flight Program Fort Wayne, IN, maintains a fleet of two AS365 N2s for emergency air ambulance service operated as the Parkview Samaritan Flight Program.
- Penn State Hershey Life Lion operates three SA/AS365s for emergency air ambulance services.
- West Michigan Air Care maintains a fleet of two AS365 N2s for emergency air ambulance services.
Specifications (AS365 N3)
Data from {Eurocopter.com}[15]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
- Capacity: 11 passengers
- Length: 13.73 m (45.06 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 11.94 m (39.17 ft)
- Height: 4.06 m (13.32 ft)
- Empty weight: 2,411 kg (5,315 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts, 625 kW (838 shp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 306 km/h (165 knot, 190 mph)
- Ferry range: 446 NM, 827 km (514 mi)
- Service ceiling: 5,865 m (19,242 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.9 m/s (1,759 ft/min)
See also
- Related development
- Aérospatiale SA 360
- HH-65 Dolphin
- Eurocopter Panther
- Eurocopter EC 155
- Harbin Z-9
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Kamov Ka-60
- Agusta A109
- Bell 222/230
- Sikorsky S-76
- Related lists
- List of helicopters
References
- ^ Scramble French Navy Order of Battle
- ^ "Helicopters" (in Japanese). Tokyo Fire Department. 2009. http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/hp-koukuutai/helicopter.html. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ a b c d "日本の民間航空機データベース [Civilian airplane data base of Japan]" (in Japanese). JA Search. 2010. http://alpha.kilo.jp/. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ "横浜市消防局航空隊 [Yokohama City Safety Management Bureau Aviation Corps]" (in Japanese). City of Yokohama. 2009. http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/shobo/koukuu/. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ "Guide to Chiba City Attracions". Chiba City. 2006. http://www.city.chiba.jp/somu/shichokoshitsu/kokusai/tour_helicopter.html. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ "千葉市消防航空隊 [Chiba City fire fighting Air Squadron]" (in Japanese). Chiba City. 2010-08-20. http://www.city.chiba.jp/shobo/keibo/koku/intro1.html. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ "http://119.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/app/html/15english/04-01-01e.html". Fukuoka Fire Prevention Bureau. 2002. http://119.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/app/html/15english/04-01-01e.html. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ "防災航空センター [Saitama AIR RESCUE]" (in Japanese). Saitama Prefecture. 2010-03-19. http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/soshiki/e05/. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Fireman Helicopters Group Trento webpage
- ^ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/pt/frota/ptas365n
- ^ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/pt/frota/ptas365n1
- ^ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/pt/frota/ptas365n3
- ^ Eurocopter – FAS enlarges its fleet and orders 2 EC130 and 2 AS365 N3 Eurocopter helicopters
- ^ "Eurocopter AS365 N3 Technical Data" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2006-11-10. http://web.archive.org/web/20061110084217/http://www.eurocopter.com/site/docs_wsw/fichiers_communs/docs/TD_AS365_N3.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
External links
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