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Airbus Helicopters AS350 Ecureuil/Astar

1975 COLD WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of Airbus Helicopters AS350 Ecureuil/Astar

The AS350 was originally developed to replace the aging Sud Aviation / Aerospatiale Alouette II family of light utility helicopters. The AS350 originally appeared under the Aerospatiale brand label, but is now known as Eurocopter. The first flight took place on June 26, 1974, and the introduction of the system took place in 1975.

The helicopter has been in production since then and has become a staple in inventories in dozens of countries around the world.

The AS350 maintains an impressively streamlined appearance. The pilot and (optional) co-pilot sit at the front of the fuselage with excellent forward, downward, upward and lateral visibility. Access via hinged car doors.

The cabin - with seating for six - features gullwing doors with large windows on either side of the hull. The Turbomeca engine is located at the top and rear of the cabin, and the exhaust is expelled through a cylindrical system in the rear. The rotor mast is mounted on the main rotor high on the fuselage and consists of a three-blade main rotor system. The rear wing that contributes to the AS350's unique appearance is slender, with the horizontal plane about halfway.

The caudal segment consists of a dorsal vertical caudal fin and a shorter pelvic fin below. The tail rotor is located on the starboard side of the aircraft. The landing gear has a fixed skid.

Military operators of the AS350 series include Australia, Brazil (Brazil already manufactures single- and twin-engine versions locally under license from Helibras), Chile, Ecuador, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, among others. The AS350 is also suitable for security operations and is therefore used by law enforcement agencies in Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, South Africa and the US, with US law enforcement being a notable user.

The AS350 also has a presence in the world civil market, serving countries such as Austria, Chile, Finland, Hungary, Iran, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand and Sweden (see variant list for full report). Air travel in Hawaii uses the AS350 Series extensively for scenic flights over the various islands.

The AS350 has been expanded to the twin-engine AS355 Ecureuil 2 and the single-engine EC130 Ecureuil, while the AS350 is sold in North America as the Astar.

Israel's Elbit Systems has ordered the conversion of four H125s for the Israeli Police Service. Expected to launch in 2016.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1975

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[3,000 units]:

Aerospatiale / Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter) - France

Roles

- Commercial Market

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

Dimensions

Length:

139.27 ft (42.45 m)

Height:

10.63 ft (3.24 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

2,736 lb (1,241 kg)

MTOW:

5,666 lb (2,570 kg)

(difference: +2,930 pt)

Performance

1 x Turbomeca Arriel 2B or 2B1 turboshaft, 847 hp.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

178 mph (287 km/h; 155 knots)

Service Limit:

16,549 ft (5,044 m; 3.13 mi)

Maximum range:

408 miles (657 km; 355 nmi)

Rate of climb:

597 m/min

Armor

Usually not, but may be task and operator specific as needed.

Changes

AS350 - Prototype designation

AS350 "Fireman" - Fire Department variant

AS350 B - with 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.

AS350 B1 - with 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine.

AS350 B2 - with 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine; overall weight increased.

AS350 B3 - with 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 2B CNC engine.

AS350 B3/2B1 - Increased MTOW; dual hydraulic arrangement.

AS350 BA - with 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine; redesigned main rotor blades.

AS350 BB - with Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 series engines; selected by the UK Ministry of Defence.

AS 350 C "A-Star" - with Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 engine primarily for the North American market.

AS 350 D "A-Star" / "A-Star Mark III" - equipped with Lycoming LTS-101 series engines; primarily for the North American market.

AS350 L1 - Militarized AS350 B1; with 684 hp Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine.

AS350 L2 - The militarized AS350 B2; with a 732 hp Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine.

HB350 B "Esquilo" - militarized variant used by the Brazilian Air Force; no weapons.

HB350 B1 "Esquilo" - militarized variant used by the Brazilian Navy.

HB350 L1 - militarized variant used by the Brazilian Army.

CH-50 - Brazilian designation of the HB350 B model "Esquilo"; production helicopter.

TH-50 - Brazilian designation for the HB350 B "Esquilo" model; production helicopter.

UH-12 - Brazilian designation for the HB350 B1 "Esquilo" model; production helicopter.

HA-1 - Brazilian designation for the HB350 L1 model; production helicopter.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT. 1 - RAF Designated AS 350 BB; Instructor variant.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT. 2 - British Army Aviation Trainer based on the AS 350 BB

AS355 - Prototype model name for the twin-engine version.

AS355 E - Production model designation; equipped with 2 x Allison 250 turboshaft engines; known as "Twin Star" in the North American market.

AS355 F - "improved" AS355; new main rotor blades.

AS355 F1 - with Allison C20F engine; adds MTOW.

AS355 F2 - with Allison C20F engine and new drivetrain; adds MTOW.

AS355 M - A militarized variant of the AS355 F1 model.

AS355 M2 - A militarized variant of the AS355 F2 model.

AS355 N "Ecureuil 2" - Equipped with 2 CNC Turbomeca Arrius 1A series engines; known as "Twin Star" in the North American market.

As355 NP "Ecureuil 2" - with 2 x Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and new gearbox; added MTOW.

HB. 355F "Ecureuil 2" - Brazilian model licensed under the Helibras brand.

HB. 355N "Ecureuil 2" - Brazilian model licensed under the Helibras brand.

Soloy Super D = AS350 BA model with LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Soloy Super D2 - AS350 B2 variant with LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX1 - AS350 BA model with LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX2 - AS350 BA or AS350 B2 models with LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Otech AS350BA+ - AS350 BA model with LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Heli-Lynx 355FX1 - with Allison C20F engine.

Heli-Lynx 355FX2 - with Allison C20F engine.

Heli-Lynx 355FX2R - with Allison C20R engine.

Starflex AS355F1R - AS355 F1 model powered by Allison C20R engine.

Starflex AS355F2R - AS355 F2 model with Allison C20R engine; new tail rotor blades.

Airbus Helicopters AS350 Ecureuil/Astar

History of Airbus Helicopters AS350 Ecureuil/Astar