The Aérospatiale AS550 C2 Fennec is a lightweight, multipurpose
military helicopter based on the AS350 B2 Ecureuil. The AS350 B2 is a single-engined utility helicopter that can
accommodate up to 7 passengers. Development of the AS 350 Ecureuil
started in the early 70s under the Aérospatiale banner. The first flight
of an AvcoLycoming LTS101-powered machine took place on 27 June 1994.
The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air on
14 February 1975. Certification (with a Turboméca Arriel 1B turboshaft
powerplant) was achieved on 27 October 1977. The single-engined AS 350B2,
powered with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine was certified in April 1989.
The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from
France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. The
Eurocopter AS350 B3 is a high-performance version of the AS350 series, powered by a Arriel
2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control
Unit with a mechanical backup system. The AS350 B3, made its first
flight from Marignane on 4 March 1997. Latest upgrade of the AS350 is
the AS350 B3e (enhanced) version that is fitted with a Turboméca Arriel
2D engine. The AS350 B3e model was approved by the EASA on 17 June 2011
and has next to the new engine, a new interior design, tail rotor
improvements and optimised optional equipment. The new console
panel’s concept “Multibloc” is installed since aircraft S/N 7218. The
AS350 B3e has an upgraded MTOW of 2370 kg when dual hydraulic. Over 5200
AS350 models had been delivered worldwide. The AS 350 is marketed as
Ecureuil. The AS350 Ecurieul is also known Squirrel and is marketed as
Esquilo in Brazil and AStar in the USA. In the USA, the AS350 is also known
as SuperStar. Since March 2015, Airbus Helicopters use 'H125' as marketing
designation for the AS350 B3e helicopter and 'H125M' for the AS550 C Fennec
helicopter. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the AS550 / H125M helicopters is AS50.
The military Eurocopter AS550 construction is based on a reinforced
high-strength glass fibre and aramid airframe. The helicopter is fitted
with sliding doors on each sider. The baggage compartment is installed
behind the main cabin and is accessed via a door on the starboard side.
A cargo sling, rated at 1,160kg, and a 204kg hoist can be used. Danish Army AS550C2 helicopters are
fitted with a wire cutter and armed with the Systems & Electronics HeliTOW sighting system and TOW
anti-tank missiles. The armed versions of the AS550 can be fitted with
coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.
The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from
France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra;
DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of
the new formed EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting
all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.
In 1987, the Danish Government ordered twelve Aérospatiale AS550 C2 Fennec helicopters for delivery in 1990.
The first Fennec destined for Denmark, AS550 C2 s/n 2090, flew first in Marignane as F-ZWCZ on 13 January
1989. All twelve AS5550 C2 helicopters were delivered to Hærens Flyvetjeneste (Danish Army) at Vandel AB between August 1990 and
February 1991. In 2003, Flyvestation Vandel closed and both helicopter units operated at that time by Hærens Flyvetjeneste moved
to Karup AB, and were combined into Eskadrille 724 Panservaerns Helikopter Kompani that was operated further under Royal Danish Air
Force control. The 1990-built Aérospatiale AS5550 C2 s/n 2352 was delivered as P-352 to Hærens Flyvetjeneste (Danish Army) in
February 1991. In 2003, Fennec P-352 was transferred to Eskadrille 724 of the Royal Danish Air Force. The operating base of Esk 724
is Flyvestation Karup. On 8 July 2011, AS550 C2 Fennec P-339 and P-352 were seen at Groningen Airport
Eelde in the Netherlands on their way home from Koksijde in Belgium to Flyvestation Skydstrup in Denmark. When seen at Eelde, Fennec
P-352 was painted in the old Hæren colours, while P-339 was painted in green RDanAF colours.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
