EUROCOPTER AS 550/555 FENNEC
The Eurocopter AS 550/555 is the militarized descendent of the Ecureil/Astar/Twin-Star family of light helicopters for general purposes. Multi purpose military single engined helicopter for reconnaissance/observation, fire support, protection and combat mission , suited for hot climates and high altitude. First flown in 1974, one single-engine prototype. The main advantage of this machine is its great versatility. It has been adapted to many different roles. The first military chopper of the family, the AS 550, is teh AS 350B2 Ecureil, militarized. AT 550C2, AS 550S2, navalized, armed As 550 A2, are some of the sub-variants of the single-engined model. Denmark bought some, and Brazil manufactures their owns under license, known as HA-1 esquilos.
September 28,1979, saw the first flight of the AS 355EC2, twin engined civil forefather of the AS 555 series. As versatile as the AS 550, again we're gonna find many sub-variants. Helibrass Brazil went on manufacturing utility variants, the AS 550U2, and the AS 555U2, as the, respectively, CH-50/-55, and UH-12/-12B. In 1998, Eurocopter sold 272 military choppers, 93 were Fennecs, in both versions, single or twin engined.
Anti-Air version: fitted with Mistral or Sidewinder AA missiles.
Anti Submarine Warfare version: fitted with cannon-rockets for ASW purposes, or even a homing torpedo.
Anti-Tank version: fitted with HEAT warhead Anti-tank missiles.
Fire Support version: with centreline 20 mm Gun, two 70 mm FF rockets, plus machineguns.
Tech Data: AS 550
Powerplant:one 546 kw Turbomecca Ariel 1D1TurboShaft Dimensions: Length 12.95 m; Heigth 3.35 m; Main rotor diameter: 10.70 m
Weights: MTOW 2.250 Kg; Empty: 1.220 kg.
Performance: 287 km/h; Max Climb Rate: 520 m/min. Service ceiling; -