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Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphin

1978 COLD WAR MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphin

For over four decades, Airbus Helicopters' AS365 Dauphin has proven commercial success in the helicopter market. To date, more than 1,000 units have been produced.

The product was developed by French aircraft manufacturer Aerospatiale (hence the name "AS"), but was acquired by Eurocopter before the brand was taken over by Airbus (Airbus Helicopters).

After the commercial failure of the single-engine SA360 "Dauphin" (34 completed between 1976 and 1977), Aerospatiale attempted to rectify this failure by developing a twin-engine form to expand Dauphin's market interest. Work began as early as 1975, although the SA3650 was still under development and trying to be put into service.

The first flight in prototype form was recorded on January 24, 1975. Following the usual testing and certification, the product was introduced in December 1978 as the SA365C series model (the series was later renamed from "SA" to "AS"). January 1990).

Inside, the more modern production model has an equally modern cockpit. There are common systems and components like the Flight Stick between the knees and the Collective next to the center console.

The pilot usually sits in the right front seat, and the pilot in the left front seat has some duplicate controls. Visibility from the cockpit is good, with large windows in the front, top and sides. The foot pedals control the rowing motion as needed.

The French Navy is one of the main customers of the AS365, which have traditionally been used in search and rescue (SAR) roles. The fleet is operated from land bases and French naval vessels such as the service's flagship aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (2017).

The first SA365C model was followed by the SA365C1, which was powered by the Arriel 1A1 series engine. It was followed by the SA365C2 with the Arriel 1A2 engine and the SA365C3 with the Arriel 1C engine.

The SA365N is an improved version of the SA365C, which first flew in March 1979. It was powered by the 660-horsepower Arriel 1C engine with a host of changes, including a revised rear wing surface, rotors and gearbox, and increased MTOW. The SA365N1 borrows some of these features, getting a 705-horsepower Arriel 1C1 engine and a new Fenestron beam arrangement for quieter operation. The AS365N2 features a 737 hp Arriel 1C2 engine, modern gearbox and increased MTOW. The AS365N3 is a popular development for the Arriel 2C engine, improved Fenestron tail rotor unit and quieter operation.

The AS365N4 became the EC155 in the Eurocopter range to serve the passenger market.

The series continues to include government and military operators, from Australia and Bangladesh to Spain and Uruguay. Its versatility makes it equally suitable for all major services - Air Force, Navy and Army, as well as the Coast Guard. Private service providers are also emerging.

The SA365 also forms the basis for the US Coast Guard's HH-65 SAR platform (built from the proposed SA366G1 "Dauphin") and the French Navy's AS565 "Panther" military transport aircraft. It was also boosted by the EC155 passenger market tugboat and the experimental compound helicopter Eurocopter X3 (retired).

AS365 is assembled in China (called "Z-9") and manufactured in Brazil (by Helibras).

Airbus is developing its H160 model (described in detail elsewhere on this page) as a successor to the AS365, but as of November 2017, the product is still in development.