Fennec/Ecureuil
IOC: 1974
Total Production: 3,757
EC130
IOC: 2001
Production: 157
Also Known As
EC 130B4 Ecureuil
EC 130B4 Fennec
Fennec C3
Origin
France
Contractor/s
Eurocopter
Family Members
AS350 Ecureuil
AS355 Ecureuil
AS355NP Ecureuil
Power plant:
Arriel 2B1
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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.
Eurocopter's single engine EC 130 was conceived to provide further space, seating capacity, comfort and low vibration levels to the Fennec/Ecureuil family of helicopters. This helicopter can accommodate up to eight passengers in addition to the single pilot. Low noise emission is achieved through the tail rotor Fenestron design and the automatic control of the rotor. The cabin results more spacious (2.03m to 1.87m) and Arriel 2B1 with dual channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control) engine enhances the reliability of the aircraft. Moreover, a back-up control box automatically controls the engine in case of total failure of both digital channels of the FADEC.
The military variant, EC 130B4 Fennec C3, was developed to replace aging Alouette III combat helicopters. It can conduct medical evacuation, troop transport and tactical combat missions.
On March 30, 2006, Eurocopter signed a sales contract with Aero Service for an EC 130B4 helicopter to be used for business transport, high-altitude sports, and tourism operations. This deal was signed during FIDAE 2006.
On May 3, 2006, Las Vegas-based Maverick Helicopters announced that it was purchasing nine new single-engine EC 130 B4 helicopters to expand its fleet which already feaured 12 EC130s and six AS 350B2s.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 1, Passengers 8
Dimensions: Height 3.6 m, Length 10.7 m, Main Rotor Diameter 10.7 m, Width 2 m
Weights: Max Weight 2,800 kg (6,173 lb), Min Weight 1,379 kg (3,040 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 7,010 m (22,999 ft), Top Speed 80 mps (287 kph)
Power: Power 739 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 3, Number of Engines 1
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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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