Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin

The Eurocopter SA 360 Dauphin (French for dolphin ) is a light multipurpose helicopter Aérospatiale, and later Eurocopter and Airbus today Helicopters. There are several versions with one or two engines. Common to all is the fenestron tail rotor. While the first versions were equipped with a rigid chassis, comes with the advancements retractable landing gear is used. The first prototype flew on 2 June 1972. Produced today The model is the AS 365 N3. Developed from the AS 365, also current model, the EC 155 is offered parallel to it. In China, the model has been manufactured under license as the Z -9.

The Dauphin is used worldwide for rescue, police and transport tasks or for passenger transport.

• 2.1 SA 365 F
• 2.2 AS 565 Panther

Variants

The machine was first introduced as a single-engine variant SA 360 and later developed into the now -made twin-engined variant. It was created as a successor to the Alouette III.

SA 360

The prototype was equipped with a 730 kW payable engine Turboméca Astazou XVI and a four - blade main rotor. With this configuration, first 180 flights were performed. It showed vibrations in the rotor system. The use of anti-flutter masses in the rotor tips decreased this effect. For further experiments, a 785 kW variant ( XVIIIA ) the Astazou used. The first flight of the modified machine on 4 May 1973. 's First production machine, a SA 360 C, first flew in April 1975. Were made ​​a total of about 40 aircraft until 1981.

SA 361

The SA 361 has been produced in some specimens and first flew on 12 June 1976., You had the same four-blade main rotor as the SA 360, but had a more powerful engine ( Astazou XX 749 kW ), improved flight performance and a higher payload. A military version for use by eight HOT missiles (SA 361 HCL) was also developed and in May 1978 with a 1043 kW payable Astazou XXB presented. However, a series production did not take place.

SA 365 C

The SA 365 C Dauphin 2 is a twin-engine version, which has been developed since 1973. Reason for the twin-engine design is the higher reliability in the first place. On 24 January 1975, the first flight took place. The machine received Turbomeca Arriel - shaft turbines with 505 kW of power for a change in the engine cowlings was necessary. Also, the four-blade main rotor system has been replaced. The first production aircraft were delivered in December 1978. By the end of production in 1981 about 50 machines of this type were produced.

AS 365 N ( to 1990: SA 365 )

The 365 N represents the first variant with Bugradeinziehfahrwerk, larger tail surfaces, a modified gearbox, further improved four - blade main rotor mast fairing and with optimized engine cover a significant development dar. As the engine Turbomeca Arriel 1C were used with 447 kW. The first flight took place on 31 March 1979. This variant replaced from 1982 the previous types SA 360 and SA 365C and was produced until 1990.

AS 365 N2

The slightly improved variant N2 received detail improvements to the cabin doors, the gearbox and the interior as well as leistungesteigerte Arriel 1C2 engines with 569 kW. The cockpit received a EFIS. The first aircraft were delivered in 1990; the production is still in progress ( 2005).

AS 365 N3

Further improved variant of the AS 365 with FADEC and two Arriel 2C engines each with 729 kW. The delivery of this variant began in December 1998. The production continues.

AS 365 N3-

The AS 365 N3 will be replaced by the end of 2013 of the AS365 N3-, which will have 15 % more power. The maximum takeoff weight will increase by up to 4.5 tonnes. The new version gets the main gear of the EC 155, a new Star Flex main rotor head and a reinforced main rotor mast.

SA 366 G1 / HH -65 Dolphin

The SA 366 G is a variant for the U.S. Coast Guard. The name of the machine there was HH- 65A Dolphin. They correspond to the engines Textron LTS 101 with 551 kW of power and a few other detail changes ( in order to satisfy U.S. requirements ) SA 365 N. A total of 99 aircraft were delivered. The U.S. Coast Guard issued the 2004 order to equip the helicopter with a new engine. For this, the Arriel 2C2 CG engine (CG stands for Coast Guard ) has been selected. After this performance-enhancing modernization, which included a total of 95 pieces, the name of the helicopter HH- 65C changed.

EC 155 B / B1

The original name of the EC 155 B was AS 365 N4 ( Arriel 2C1 ). Due to the all-new five-blade main rotor with indefinite lives and the much larger by changing cabin doors, however, a new series name was used. The machine was flown for the first time on 17 June 1997, and still presented the same year at the Paris air show to the public. The model EC 155 B1 has two Arriel 2C2 engines with 853 shaft horsepower continuous power, so 12 % increase in performance.

Harbin Z-9/WZ-9

The Harbin Z-9 Haitung ( Dolphin ) is a licensed version, which is manufactured in China. For this purpose, a supply of 28 Dauphin 365N and 20 Dauphin 365N2 was agreed in the form of kits in 1980 between Aerospatiale and the Chinese government, which have been assembled after delivery until January 1982 in Harbin Aircraft Factory ( HAMC ). The N versions were referred to as Z-9 and N2 as the Z- 9A, being employed in the latter also Chinese components. The first assembled in China Z-9 launched on 6 February 1982 on its maiden flight. The first envisaged as an onboard helicopter and submarine combat naval version of Z- 9C on December 3, 1987. This was later upgraded several times and equipped by the end of the 1990s with an X -band radar, resulting in an extended nose is seen. From this machine in 2006 six piece was sold as a Z- 9EC to Pakistan and ship in September 2009 for the F- 22P frigates of Pakistan. From 1988, the Z -9A were modernized with French help, and the two prototypes equipped with 550 kW Wozhou WZ -8A ( under license of Turbomeca Ariel 1C2 ). The machines were referred to as Z -9A -100, but never produced in series since 1989 worsened relations with the West. HAMC sat then continue their development as Z -9B alone and brought on 16 January 1992, the first 70% of Chinese components and only at the tail propeller with 11 plastic fiber instead of 13 metal sheets to be recognized machine for its first flight. From this type later seven units per year were initially five, built in 1993 next to another 22 kits AS 365N2 were appointed in France. The actually developed exclusively for civilian use machines have been gradually converted into military machines. For this purpose, they were equipped with an appropriate color scheme and carrier systems for missiles and cannons. In about 1995 the first flight started WZ -9 ( also Z- 9G and later Z- 9W ) is an armed version that can be used for anti-tank. For this purpose, it was equipped with two wire-guided HJ -8 (simplified replicas of the TOW ). At least 15 of these aircraft were produced. From 2001 began flight tests with the civilian version H -410A ( a version of the AS 565 ) with 4100 kg take-off mass and 635 -kW Ariel -2C engine, which was produced in series from 2005. From 2008 onwards the longer 0.2 m H -425 ( military designation Z- 9WA ) was presented. The made ​​in two different trim levels military version has a spherical electro-optical vision system the Chinese company EOTDC under the nose and two weapons carrier for four laser-guided HJ -9 anti-tank guided missiles. 2009, four aircraft were sold to Kenya.

Helibras MH -1

The Helibras MH -1 is a licensed version that is manufactured in Brazil by Helibras.

Military versions

Although the Dauphin is used in civil Version by various armed forces, there are also special military versions.

SA 365 F

The SA 365F is a variant of SA 365 N for the French Navy. It is used on board an aircraft carrier for common tasks and for backup purposes since 1991. Always located during flight with a helicopter rescue divers in the air in order to assist the pilot immediately in an accident can. First experiments were carried out successfully in 1990 aboard the Clemenceau. The variant 365F is used since 1999 exclusively in the flotilla 35F.

AS 565 Panther

The variant AS 565 is the military version of the AS 365 N. The following versions have been developed:

• AS 565 AA / AB: a variant as an attack helicopter. Not produced.
• AS 565 CA: version for anti-tank.
• AS 565 MA / MB: Marine version of UA / UB version. The UB version is currently (11/ 2005) in production. Objectives are in addition to typical SAR duties, the ship combat. In addition, the radar system has been improved so that it now has a viewing angle of 240 ° 360 ° respectively. The rotor blades and the rudder can be folded. A special corrosion protection and Motorspülanlage be applied, so that salt water has no influence on the life of the cell and drives. The tank system was changed so that a pressure refueling and a quick draining is possible. The nose wheel may be fixed. In a ditching to stabilize cells inflate. For an easy landing on highly fluctuating vessels located under the fuselage, a gripper ( Harpoon ). There are furthermore additional tabs on the cell in order to secure them safely.
• AS 565 SA / SB: submarine defense variant, not in production and partly replaced by variant MB.
• AS 565 UA / UB: Support versions. The machines are equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2C - engines each with 625 kW. Purpose is the transportation of eight to ten soldiers, transporting four wounded, and a doctor and light transport duties. For emergency purposes, a winch with a maximum load of 272 kg and a cable length of 90 m can be mounted. The variant UB is currently (11/ 2005) in production.

Development of the next version of the Panther, the AS565 MBe, to be introduced in late 2013. You, as the then civilian version also latest AS565 N3-, over 15 % more power and an increased maximum takeoff weight of 4.5 t have.

Military User States

• 36 × AS.565AA Panther ( as HM -1 manobra under license by Helibras made ​​) Brazilian army

• 3 × EC.565MB Panther on ships of the Bulgarian Navy

• 6 × AS.565N3 "Aegean Dolphin" are used for the Greek coastguard on their frigates

• 5 × AS.565MA " Atalef " the Israel Air and Space Force ships on the Sa'ar 5- class Israeli Navy

• 3 × AS.565MB Panther used by the Royal Navy for their frigates

• 4 × AS.565 be operated by the Brazilian manufacturer Helibras of the Brazilian Air Force for the Brazilian Navy.

• 6 x Harbin Z-9 on ships of the Pakistan Navy

• In service with the U.S. Coast Guard

• 5 × AS.365N3 " Dauphin II" operated by the RAF from the 8.Flight for the British Special Forces SAS

Specifications

Arming

Air - to-air missiles

• 2 x double missile launchers for 2 × heat image-guided short-range air - to-air missiles MBDA Mistral ( AATCP )

Air -to-ground missiles

• 8 x wire- guided anti-tank guided missiles HOT (only AS.565CA )
• 4 × wire controlled Seeziellenkflugkörper Euromissile AS.15TT
• 2 × dTc n torpedo L4
• 4 x laser-guided anti-tank guided missile Norinco Hong Jian -9 ( HJ -9 ) (only Z -9)

Unguided air - to-surface missiles

• 2 × Brandt -missile launch canister for each 12 × unguided air - to-ground missiles TDA; Caliber 68 mm
• 2 × Matra rocket launch canister type 156 for each 19 × unguided air - to-ground missiles SNEB; Caliber 68 mm

External container

• 2 x machine cannon container Giat M621 (POD NC 621 in caliber 20 mm) with 180 rounds of ammunition