Aérospatiale H125M / AS550 Fennec

Summary

Category	Helicopter
Origin country	🇫🇷 France
First flight	27 June 1974
Year of introduction	1990
Number produced	531 units
Average unit price	$5 million

Description

The Eurocopter AS550/H125M Fennec is a military version of the AS350/H125 Ecureuil. It was initially developed by the French aerospace company Aérospatiale, which later became part of Eurocopter. The Fennec was designed for various utility roles, including light attack, observation, and training. It first flew in the 1990s and has been adopted by multiple countries for military service.

The Fennec features a single-engine, multipurpose design built for agility and versatility. It has a conventional helicopter layout with a single main rotor and a tail rotor. The airframe is constructed primarily from composite materials, making it lightweight yet durable. It can accommodate a pilot and up to five passengers, or be modified to carry weapons and other equipment for combat roles. It's often equipped with advanced avionics and can be fitted with various armament configurations, such as 12.7 mm machine guns, rocket pods, and BGM-71 anti-tank missiles, depending on its intended mission. The Fennec is known for its high-performance capabilities, including a high rate of climb and the ability to operate effectively at high altitudes and in hot conditions.

The Fennec is designed for a broad range of missions:

Reconnaissance: Equipped with cameras and sensors for intelligence gathering.
Surveillance: Utilized for monitoring of borders, maritime areas, or high-value targets.
Utility Transport: Can carry troops, equipment, or supplies to and from the battlefield or disaster areas.
Search and Rescue: Equipped with hoists and medical equipment for locating and evacuating people in distress.
Training: Used as a training aircraft for pilots transitioning to more complex helicopter systems.

Operational history

The Fennec has seen service in various countries and participated in multiple types of operations, ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to light attack missions. It has been used in counter-insurgency operations, search and rescue, and utility transport roles. Various models of the Fennec have been exported to countries like Brazil, Denmark, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

In terms of combat, the Fennec has been deployed in conflict zones but details are often specific to the country operating them. For instance, Danish Fennecs were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), where they conducted reconnaissance missions.

Variants

The Eurocopter Fennec has multiple variants that cater to different operational requirements. These variants are primarily based on the AS350 and AS550 platforms. Here are some notable ones:

AS550 C2 Fennec: A single-engine variant primarily designed for reconnaissance and light attack roles. It can be armed with machine guns, rockets, and anti-tank missiles.
AS550 U2 Fennec: A utility version often used for transport and medevac missions. Less heavily armed than the C2.
AS555 AF Fennec 2: A twin-engine version, offering better performance and payload capacity. Can be configured for anti-submarine warfare.
AS555 AN Fennec 2: Twin-engine, primarily used for observation, reconnaissance, and training.
AS555 SN Fennec 2: Twin-engine, armed naval version, often equipped with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes for maritime roles.
AS555 UN Fennec 2: Twin-engine, utility transport variant.
AS555 MN Fennec 2: Unarmed maritime version, designed for shipborne operations.
H125M: A modernized version of the AS550, with updated avionics and capabilities.

Technical specifications

Version: AS350 B3
Crew	2 pilots
Operational range	720 km (447 mi)
Maximum speed	260 km/h (162 mph)
Wingspan	12.9 m (42.5 ft)
Height	3.1 m (10.3 ft)
Length	10.9 m (35.9 ft)
Service ceiling	4600 m (15092 ft)
Empty weight	1174 kg (2588 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	2250 kg (4960 lbs)
Climb rate	8.5 m/s (27.9 ft/s)
Powerplant	1 × turbine Turbomeca Arriel 2B delivering 632 kW

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Brazil	126 (+12)
	France	93
	Pakistan	35
	United Arab Emirates	30
	Saudi Arabia	26
	Indonesia	23
	Chile	17 (+2)
	Mexico	15
	Algeria	14
	Denmark	11
	Ecuador	11
	Uzbekistan	11
	Botswana	10
	Kenya	9
	Thailand	8
	United Kingdom	8
	China	7
	Chad	6
	Tunisia	6
	Djibouti	5
	Malaysia	5
	Russia	5
	Burkina Faso	4
	Israel	4
	Bulgaria	3
	Colombia	3
	Egypt	3
	Lesotho	3
	Lithuania	3
	Malawi	3
	Uruguay	3
	Tanzania	2 (+1)
	Bangladesh	2
	Bolivia	2
	Hungary	2
	Madagascar	2
	Nepal	2
	Paraguay	2
	Argentina	1 (+12)
	Cambodia	1
	Central African Republic	1
	Guatemala	1
	Jordan	1
	Senegal	1
	United States	1