The Eurocopter, later Airbus HelicoptersAS550 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.
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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.[2]
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.[3]
Operational history
As a result of the Vienna Treaty,[which?] military variants of the Écureuil were marketed under a separate designation; thus from 1990 onwards the type was marketed as the Fennec.[4]
AS555 helicopters were delivered to French Air Force between February 1988 and March 1994, and as of 2018, 40 of them remain operable. 17 AS555 Fennecs delivered to the ALAT on January 1990 and were assigned to the 6th Squadron of Utility Helicopters at the Le Luc Training School, used for training and liaison missions.
Twelve AS550 C2 helicopters were purchased by the Royal Danish Air Force in 1987, with the first helicopters delivered on August 1990. Due to change in geopolitical environment following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the Fennec helicopters were gradually repurposed for other tasks, primarily observation and light transport duties. In 2003, they were primarily employed by the Eskadrille 724. In 2002, 3 Danish Fennec helicopters were deployed to Macedonia during Operation Amber Fox. In December 2005, Fennec helicopters were deployed to support the Danish forces in Iraq and from August 2007, 4 more were deployed to the troubled country as a replacement for the withdrawn ground troops. In 2008, 4 Fennec helicopters were deployed to the Danish forces in Afghanistan. As a result of various defense agreements, the number of active Fennecs in the Air Force has been reduced to 8 in 2006.
AS555 Fennec helicopters were acquired by the Argentine Navy following the circumstances caused by the Falklands War, as United Kingdom had blocked the sales of Westland Sea Lynx to Argentina. Although they had acquired two of ten Lynx helicopters ordered, the first one was accidentally decommissioned during the 1982 conflict and the second one was sold to Denmark after being unable to acquire parts to keep it operational. Due to limited military budget, the Eurocopter AS555-SN Fennec was chosen to succeed the Lynx, with first four AS555-SN units arriving in 1996.[6]
In February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth US$500 million.[7] This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007.[8] 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.[9]
On 20 January 2011, Royal Malaysian NavyPASKAL 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.[10]
Variants
Single engine
AS350 L1/L2 Ecureuil – Original military variants of AS350.
AS550 C2 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B2.
AS550 U2 Fennec – Unarmed version based on AS350 B2.
AS550 C3 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B3.
Twin engine
AS355 M/M2 Ecureuil 2 – Original military variants of AS355 F.
AS555 AF Fennec 2 – Armed version based on AS355 N.
AS555 AN Fennec 2 – Armed military version, can be fitted with a 20mm cannon.
AS555 AR Fennec 2 – Armed with cannon and rockets.
On 23 April 2024, a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) AS555 SN Fennec 2 with three crew onboard collided with an RMN AgustaWestland AW139 with seven crew at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, Perak.[20][21] One of the helicopter's rotors clipped the other's, causing both to crash. The Fennec crashed into a swimming pool at the stadium's sports complex.[22] The incident occurred during a training flight in preparation for the 90th Naval Day celebration. All ten crew were killed in the crash.[23][24]
Specifications (AS550 C3)
The cockpit of an AS 555
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[25]
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: 4 passengers
Length: 10.93m (35ft 10in) (fuselage length), 12.94 m (42 ft 6 in) (overall length, rotors turning)
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