Fennec/Ecureuil
IOC: 1974
Total Production: 3,757
AS355NP Ecureuil
IOC: May 2007
Production: 5
Also Known As
TwinStar
Origin
France
Contractor/s
Eurocopter
Family Members
AS350 Ecureuil
AS355 Ecureuil
EC130
Power plant:
Arrius 1A1 (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.
AS 355NP high performance multi-mission aircraft is a variant of AS 355N helicopter intended as an entry product in the twin-engined rotary-wing aircraft segment. Eurocopter announced the development of the AS 355NP model in February 2006 with an in service date planned for April 2007. This new model features the ability to take-off at maximum gross weight in various climatic conditions. Performance operating on a single engine and payload are expected to be improved compared with early AS 355 models. Maintenance costs will be lowered while flight safety will be increased on the AS 355NP fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 engines.
On 29 August 2006, Spanish INAER Group placed an order for nine helicopters from Eurocopter to be delivered between June 2007 and January 2009. The order included: four EC 135s, two EC 145s, two AS350B3 Squirrel and one AS355NP Squirrel helicopters valued at 33 million Euros. These aircraft were intended to provide fire fighting, civil protection and emergency medical services across Spain, Portugal and Italy.
The AS355NP helicopter was awarded EASA certification on February 15, 2007.
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 2,800 kg (6,173 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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