The Ecureuil (Squirrel) was intended as a successor to the Alouette II and Lama light general purpose helicopters. The first prototype (F-WVKH) flew on June 27, 1974, powered by a Avco Lycoming LTS 101 turboshaft, the second (F-WVKI) on February 15, 1975, powered by an Turboméca Arriel. Type certificate was obtained late 1977, by which time already over 300 orders were booked, 5 out of 6 orders coming from North America.
Of the initial production versions the Avco Lycoming powered AS 350D AStar was for the North American markets, the Turboméca powered AS 350B serving the other markets. The AStar version was assembled and finished in the US by Aérospatiale Helicopters Division at Grand Prairie, Texas. From the early nineties the military versions carried the designation AS 550 Fennec (Desert Fox). The AS 350 was build under license by Helibras of Brazil as the HB 350.
Standard seating is for 6 persons in a comfortable wide-body looking cabin, the airframe incorporating many parts made of new materials like polycarbonates, glass fibers, etc. The "Starflex" rotor head, made of composite material, reduces maintenance considerably, the use of components out of the motor-industry reduces costs.
A twin-engined version, the AS 355 Ecureuil 2, is used for close-offshore or inter-rig liaisons and for work over towns by public bodies, like police, etc. Again there is a North American version, the Twin Star. The military version also received the name Fennec from the same moment on as it single-engined counterpart, with the designation AS 555. Under the designation HB 355 F2 Esquilo (Squirrel) it was assembled in Brazil.
The success of this helicopter may be clear by the fact that after 25 years it is still in production, although under the name of Eurocopter.
AS 350B Ecureuil: AS 350BB Ecureuil: AS 350B3 Ecureuil: AS 350D AStar: AS 350L:
AS 550A2 Fennec: AS 550C2 Fennec: AS 550C3 Fennec: AS 550M2 Fennec: AS 550S2 Fennec: AS 550U2 Fennec:
AS 355F Ecureuil 2: AS 355F Twin Star: AS 355FR Ecureuil 2:
AS 555AN Fennec: AS 555MN Fennec: AS 555SN Fennec: AS 555UN Fennec:
initial production
trainer, as HT.Mk.1 to RAF, as HT.Mk.2 to RN
from 1997 production version
initial production for North America
original military version
armed ground support
anti-tank
military counterpart of AS 350B3 Ecureuil
naval utility
naval armed
utility
armed ground support
naval utility
naval armed
utility
Specifications (AS 350 B)
Type:
Engine:
Rotor:
Length:
Height:
Width:
Empty weight:
Max T/O weight:
Max speed:
Max climb:
Ceiling:
Range:
Multi-role general-purpose helicopter
One Turboméca Arriel 1D turbine
35.07 ft (10.69 m) in diameter
42.45 ft (12.94 m) rotor rotating
10.30 ft (3.14 m)
8.30 ft (2.53 m) rotor folded
2,443 lb (1,108 kg)
5,070 lb (2,300 kg) with external load
169 mph (272 km/h)
1,500 ft (450 m)/min
9,400 ft (2,870 m)
407 mls (655 km)