The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS550 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.
AS550 Fennec AS555 Fennec 2 | |
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A Fennec of the French Air and Space Force | |
Role | Light utility military helicopter |
National origin | France |
Manufacturer | Aérospatiale Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters |
Introduction | 1990 |
Status | In service |
Primary users | French Army Light Aviation French Air and Space Force Argentine Naval Aviation Royal Malaysian Navy Aviation Royal Danish Air Force |
Produced | 1990–present |
Developed from | Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2 |
The Fennec was designed as a lightweight utility helicopter primarily for military use. The two different variants could either be equipped with a single or dual engine setup. The Fennec allows space for use on ships with helipads such as destroyer or aircraft carriers, which would allow more variability in its mission. The design allocates space for 20mm cannons and other types of weaponry, such as rockets and machine gun pods. The Fennec has a max payload weight of 2,000 pounds (910 kg).
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.[2]
In February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth US$500 million.[3] This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007.[4] 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.[5]
On 20 January 2011, Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL 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.[6]
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[21]
General characteristics
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Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era