Eurocopter Dauphin
Encyclopedia
The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 (Dolphin
) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale
).
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.
Regarding the naming of the different variants, it should be noted that, until January 1990, the AS365 models were designated as SA 365.
SA 365 C1
AS365 N (originally SA 365 N)
AS365 N1
AS365 N2
AS365 N3
AS365 N4
AS365 X
EC155 B/B1
MH/HH-65 Dolphin
: as variant Harbin Z-9
and WZ-9 by the PLAAF, PLANF
and PLAGF
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter (originally by Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale
Aérospatiale was a French aerospace manufacturer that built both civilian and military aircraft, rockets and satellites. It was originally known as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale...
).
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)Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
helicopter, electronic news gathering
Electronic news gathering
ENG is a broadcasting industry acronym which stands for electronic news gathering. It can mean anything from a lone broadcast journalist reporter taking a single professional video camera out to shoot a story, to an entire television crew taking a production truck or satellite truck on location...
platform, and search & rescue helicopter. One of the distinctive features of the Dauphin is its fenestron
Fenestron
A Fenestron is a shrouded tail rotor of a helicopter that is essentially a ducted fan. The housing is integral with the tail skin, and, like the conventional tail rotor it replaces, is intended to counteract the torque of the main rotor...
tail rotor.
The military version of the Dauphin is the Eurocopter Panther. The Dauphin is also used by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
under the designation HH/MH-65 Dolphin.
The Dauphin is also manufactured in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
under licence as the Z-9
Harbin Z-9
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation , often shortened to Hafei, is an aircraft manufacturing company located in Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang Province of the People's Republic of China....
, 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
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 DolphinHH-65 DolphinThe Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable Search and Rescue helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard...
), 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 EC155Eurocopter EC 155The Eurocopter EC155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from the Dauphin family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration...
.
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
- 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
- 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
Military operators
- Coast Guard
- Coast Guard and NavyChilean Navy-Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the...
SARSearch and rescueSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(3 second-hand machines bought on civil market, plus four former Irish Air Corps acquired by the end of 2008. Total requirement of 8)
: as variant Harbin Z-9
Harbin Z-9
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
and WZ-9 by the PLAAF, PLANF
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force is the naval aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China.-Mission:Primary Mission* Provide fleet air defense for PLAN surface combatants...
and PLAGF
People's Liberation Army Ground Force
The People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army. Its regular forces consist of 1.7 million personnel, with an additional 800,000 personnel in reserve, making it the largest active standing army in the world, and second largest in terms of...
- French NavyFrench NavyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
- Coast GuardHellenic Coast GuardThe Hellenic Coast Guard is the national coast guard of Greece. Like most other coast guards, it is a paramilitary organization that can support the Hellenic Navy in wartime, but resides under separate civilian control in times of peace...
- Irish Air CorpsIrish Air CorpsThe Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces of Ireland providing support to the Army and Naval Service, together with non-military air services such as search and rescue and the Ministerial Air Transport Service...
– Former operator.
- Israeli Navy
- Mexican NavyMexican NavyThe Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
- Sri Lanka Air Force
- Flag Officer Sea TrainingFlag Officer Sea TrainingFlag Officer Sea Training is a Royal Navy training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are fit to join the operational fleet. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and...
- 8 Flight Army Air Corps8 Flight Army Air Corps8 Flight Army Air Corps is one of the Independent Flights within the British Army's Army Air Corps. 8 Flight is attached to the Special Air Service and based alongside them in Hereford....
Four helicopters, supporting SAS missions.
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Governmental / Law Enforcement operators
- Victoria Police Air WingVictoria Police Air WingThe Victoria Police Air Wing is the police aviation support unit of the Victoria Police.-History:The Air Wing was formed in 1975 after the members of the Victoria Police Aero Club demonstrated the potential of utilising aviation assets for policing roles...
operates 3 AS365N3 Dauphin as patrol and air ambulance helicopters, as well as for search and rescue missions. - Western Australia PoliceWestern Australia PoliceThe Western Australia Police services an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, the world's largest non-federated area of jurisdiction. In 2008, its 7,526 employees included 5,647 police officers.-History:-Early history:...
Air Wing operates a single AS365 N3 for patrol helicopter and search and rescue operations. 1
- Government of State of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro (state)Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
- one AS365 N1 in CAOA (Coordenadoria Adjunta de Operações Aéreas - Assistant Air Operations)
- Bundespolizei
- Government Flying Service - active fleet; 5 Eurocopter EC 155Eurocopter EC 155The Eurocopter EC155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from the Dauphin family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration...
inherited from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force was an auxiliary unit of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, based in Hong Kong. In preparation for the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, the unit was disbanded on 1 April 1993.Although technically an armed...
with 1 lost in a crash.
- Icelandic Coast GuardIcelandic Coast GuardThe Icelandic Coast Guard is the service responsible for Iceland's coastal defense and maritime and aeronautical search and rescue. Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Ørnen started patrolling Icelandic waters...
, 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 PradeshArunachal PradeshArunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
.
- 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.
- Indonesian National PoliceIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
- Tokyo Fire DepartmentTokyo Fire DepartmentThe is a fire department headquartered in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The TFD was formed on March 7, 1948 and is responsible for protecting the Tokyo Metropolis Area. The Fire Department is the largest urban fire department in the world. Providing services to the 23 Wards of Tokyo and parts...
operates three AS365s as medium range fire fighting and rescue helicopters. - National Police Agency (Japan)National Police Agency (Japan)The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating agency of the Japanese police system....
operates 8 AS365s. - City of YokohamaYokohamais the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
operates two AS365N2 for fire fighting and rescue purposes. - Chiba CityChiba, Chibais the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....
operates two AS365N3 for fire-extinguishing and rescue purposes. - Osaka CityOsakais a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
operates two AS365N3 for fire-fighting and rescue purposes. - Fukuoka CityFukuokaFukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
operates two AS365s for fighting against various disasters. - Saitama PrefectureSaitama Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...
operates one AS365N3 for fire-fighting and rescue purposes.
- Kuwait Police
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyMalaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyThe Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency , the Malaysian Coast Guard version, is the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas. It is in effect the Coast Guard of Malaysia...
(Coast Guard utility and SAR)
- Romanian Intelligence ServiceSRISri may refer to:*Sri, a Hindu honorific; not to be confused with Sir, a title of respect used in several modern contexts*Sri Lanka, an island state at the south tip of India, formerly called Ceylon*SRi, a car specification badge...
- Romanian Government
- Servicio de Vigilancia AduaneraServicio de Vigilancia AduaneraThe Customs Surveillance Service is a Spanish law enforcement agency responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases involving contraband, illegal drugs, financial evasion and violations, money laundering, surveillance for financial police purposes and the provision of judicial police...
(Customs Service))
- Operated by Swiss Air ForceSwiss Air ForceThe Swiss Air Force is the air component of the Swiss Armed Forces, established on July 31, 1914, as part of the Army and as of January 1966 an independent service.In peacetime, Dübendorf is the operational Air Force HQ...
for governmental and VIP transport
- Royal Thai PoliceRoyal Thai PoliceThe Royal Thai Police are the national police of Thailand.-About:Primary responsibility for the maintenance of public order through enforcement of the kingdom's laws was exercised by the Thailand National Police Department , a subdivision of the Ministry of Interior...
- Taiwan Coast Guard
- Maryland State PoliceMaryland State PoliceThe Maryland State Police is the official state police force of the state of Maryland. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP in unincorporated Baltimore County.-Organizational structure:...
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
- Child FlightChild FlightChild Flight is an Australian helicopter service dedicated to the emergency transport of sick children. It operates two twin-engined instrument-flight rated helicopters...
used as emergency transport for sick children in rural New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
which need medical treatment in Sydney. - Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter ServiceWestpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter ServiceThe Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service was founded in 1973 by Surf Life Saving Australia. Since this time, the Service has carried out more than 50,000 flights ranging from patient transfers to search and rescue missions...
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 ScotiaCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
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 HansPawan HansPawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a helicopter service company based in India. The operations are based at Vile Parle . Other than providing helicopter services to ONGC to its off-shore locations, this public sector company is often engaged for providing services to various state governments in...
operate approximately 28 SA/AS365s
- Search and Rescue, Maritime Surveillance.
- Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trento utilizes two AS365 N3 for health emergency, mountain rescue, fire service and various civil defence activities.
- Indonesia Air TransportIndonesia Air TransportIndonesia Air Transport is an airline and aviation company based in Jakarta, Indonesia. It provides a wide range of aviation services to both the on and offshore oil, gas and mining industries within Indonesia and South-east Asia. Its main base is Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta...
, an aircraft charter company in Indonesia operates SA 365 C2, AS365 N and AS365 N2 helicopters mainly in KalimantanKalimantanIn English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term "Kalimantan" refers to the whole island of Borneo....
for offshore operations.
- All Nippon Helicopter, a subsidiary of All Nippon AirwaysAll Nippon Airways, also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...
, operates 6 AS365 N2s for news gathering of NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
.
- One is currently in service with Heli Air MonacoHeli Air Monaco-History:Heli Air Monaco was founded in 1976 with the support of Prince Rainier III, and began operations from the Monaco Heliport, located in the Fontvieille quarter of Monaco, from where it now operates regular shuttle services between Monaco Heliport and Nice Airport , and offers on request...
.
- 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
- Heliportugal operates AS365 N, N1 and N3
- Scandinavian Medicopter operates two AS365 N3 and two N2 for airborne medical transports.
- 2 AS365 N3 helicopters ordered by Falcon Aviation ServicesFalcon Aviation ServicesFalcon Aviation Services is a VVIP charter airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It operates business jet and helicopter charter services, MRO services, aircraft management, consulting, Oil and Gas support, as well as, search and rescue operations for the United Arab Emirates Armed...
in 2007.
- 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)