Eurocopter Fennec Explained

The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS550 Fennec (now H125M)[1] and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group (now Airbus Helicopters). Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the fennec fox. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.

Design

The Fennec's design is centered around its lightweight and compact structure, making it an ideal fit for deployment on ships with helipads, such as destroyers or aircraft carriers. This allows for greater flexibility in mission planning and execution, as the Fennec can be easily transported and deployed from a variety of naval vessels.

The Fennec comes in two distinct variants, each catering to different operational requirements. The single-engine variant is optimized for simplicity, reliability, and reduced maintenance, making it an excellent choice for smaller-scale operations or special forces missions. In contrast, the dual-engine variant offers increased power and redundancy, making it better suited for more demanding missions, such as heavy-lift transport or combat operations.

Operational history

As a result of the Vienna Treaty, military variants of the Écureuil were marketed under a separate designation; thus from 1990 onwards the type was marketed as the Fennec.[2]

In February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth US$500 million.[3] This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007.[4] The contract is now being re-competed, and the AS550 C3 is among the helicopters competing for the deal. However India chose Kamov Ka-226T over AS550 C3 in the refreshed tender.[5]

On 20 January 2011, Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL commandos rescued a hijacked Malaysian chemical tanker and its crew from Somali pirates. A Fennec helicopter provided reconnaissance and aerial gunfire to keep the pirate's mother ship at bay while commandos boarded the tanker.[6]

Variants

Single engine:
Twin engine:

Operators

Former operators

Notable accidents

Specifications (AS550 C3)

[14]

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet the H Generation: From EC to H . www.airbushelicopters.com . 25 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180725122939/https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/ref/Meet-the-H-Generation_229.html . 25 July 2018 . live .
  2. http://www.eurocopter.ir/site/en/ref/1974_-AS350-355-AS550-555-EC130_469-138.html?noeu_id=469 "1974: AS350/355 Ecureuil/AStar- AS550/555 Fennec – EC130."
  3. Web site: Eurocopter wins big Indian Army deal . Kalingatimes.com . 26 April 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070604180613/http://kalingatimes.com/orissa_business/news/20070408_Eurocopter_wins_deal.htm . 4 June 2007 . dead . dmy.
  4. Web site: India scraps 600 million dollar Eurocopter deal. https://web.archive.org/web/20120211201356/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data%2Fsubcontinent%2F2007%2FDecember%2Fsubcontinent_December215.xml&section=subcontinent&col=. dead. 11 February 2012.
  5. Web site: Make in India: Defence ministry okays $3.4 billion deals including procurement of US-origin M777 artillery guns . 14 May 2015 . India Times . Pubby . Manu . 21 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151029175351/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/make-in-india-defence-ministry-okays-3-4-billion-deals-including-procurement-of-us-origin-m777-artillery-guns/articleshow/47274605.cms . 29 October 2015 . live .
  6. Web site: Paskal commandos foil hijack attempt in Gulf of Aden . https://web.archive.org/web/20110123172939/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F1%2F22%2Fnation%2F7852232&sec=nation . dead . 23 January 2011 . 22 January 2011 . The Star . 13 August 2011 . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: World Air Forces 2018. Flightglobal Insight. 2018. 7 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206123925/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/. 6 February 2018. live.
  8. Web site: World Air Forces 2022. Flightglobal . 2022 . 14 July 2022. registration.
  9. Web site: Kenya acquires Fennec helicopters . DefenceWeb . 7 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907005016/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53025:kenya-acquires-fennec-helicopters&catid=124:military-helicopters&Itemid=282 . 7 September 2018 . 6 September 2018 . live.
  10. Helicopters Reception Ceremony. Kenya Air Force. 14 September 2018. 15 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024075242/http://kaf.mod.go.ke/?p=1790. 24 October 2018. live.
  11. http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2018/03/actu/des-helicopteres-nh90-et-h125m-commandes-par-le-qatar .
  12. Web site: Binnie . Jeremy . Tanzania to take delivery of Super Puma helicopters . IHS Jane's 360 . 11 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911203002/https://www.janes.com/article/82906/tanzania-to-take-delivery-of-super-puma-helicopters . 11 September 2018 . London . 11 September 2018 . dead .
  13. Web site: World Air Forces 2021. FlightGlobal . 4 December 2020 . 10 August 2021.
  14. Web site: Republic of Singapore Air Force AS 350. 17 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121016104959/http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/937/. 16 October 2012. live.
  15. Web site: Singapore Air AS-550A Fennec . Demand media . 17 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151007072352/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore---Air/Aerospatiale-AS-550A-2-Fennec/2047756/L/%26sid%3D0f63dda9677e2a7d2bf17f4c6e663e8a . 7 October 2015 . live .
  16. News: 10 maut, dua helikopter TLDM bertembung di Lumut . 23 April 2024 . 23 April 2024.
  17. News: Shah . Aliza . Lumut helicopter crash: No survivors, says fire department [NSTTV] ]. 23 April 2024 . New Straits Times . April 23, 2024.
  18. News: Two Malaysian helicopters carrying 10 people crash during training in Lumut . 23 April 2024 . The Straits Times . April 23, 2024.
  19. News: Hassan . Hazween . BREAKING: Ten killed in Lumut navy helicopter crash [NSTTV] ]. 23 April 2024 . New Straits Times . April 23, 2024.
  20. News: Ten killed after two Malaysian navy helicopters collide in mid-air . 23 April 2024 . Reuters . April 23, 2024.

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