Fennec/Ecureuil
IOC: 1974
Total Production: 3,757
AS355 Ecureuil
Production: 600
Also Known As
AS 355N
AS 555AN Fennec
AS 555SN Fennec
AS 555UN Fennec
TwinStar
Origin
France
Contractor/s
Eurocopter
Applications
Type 42
Family Members
AS350 Ecureuil
AS355NP Ecureuil
EC130
Power plant:
Arrius 1 (2)
Model 250-C20 (2)
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Description:
Eurocopter's Fennec/Ecureuil is a family of multi-role helicopters featuring design simplicity, reliability and high performance. These lightweight helicopters are intended for both commercial and military markets. Fennec designation applies to military helicopters and Ecureuil, which means Squirrel, applies to commercial helicopters. These platforms can be powered either by a single turboshaft engine or by two engines (AS 555 and AS 355 series).
Composite materials have been used extensively in the aircraft design making it more durable and lighter. There are many variants of Fennec/Ecureuil helicopter family primarily due to the use of different power plants such as Arriel and Arrius family of engines. The characteristics of Fennec/Ecureuil helicopters also translate into low acquisition costs and low costs of maintenance and operation. Eurocopter has scored a big success through this helicopter family with more than 3,100 units (2,400+ single engine models) sold around the globe.
The AS 355N is the powerful twin-engine version of Ecureuil helicopter fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A turbine engines. Arrius 1A engines feature FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control) which makes to piloting easier and safer. This model has been optimized to perform aerial work, offshore operation, police and public services operations.
Eurocopter's AS 555AN/UN/SN Fennec are the military range counterpart to AS 355 helicopter. AS 555AN is an armed version capable of providing fire support to ground forces in addition to the utility helicopter role. AS 555AN can be armed with 20mm cannon or 68mm rockets. AS 555SN is the navalised version and suits maritime surveillance carrying a panoramic radar, law enforcement and anti-submarine warfare using torpedoes.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 1, Passengers 6
Dimensions: Height 3 m, Length 10.9 m, Main Rotor Diameter 10.7 m, Width 1.9 m
Weights: Max Weight 2,600 kg (5,732 lb), Min Weight 1,437 kg (3,168 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 6,096 m (20,000 ft), Cruise Speed 68 mps (244 kph), Endurance 3 hours 54 min, Max Range 428 km (231 nm), Top Speed 77 mps (278 kph)
Power: Power 794 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 3, Number of Engines 2
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Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
Last Updated: Saturday, December 20, 2008
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