Eurocopter Fennec

{{Short description|Helicopter in France}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name= AS550 Fennec<br>AS555 Fennec 2 |image= File:F-RAVE - Armée de l'air - AS-555 Fennec - LFBD (rotated).jpg |caption=A Fennec of the [[French Air and Space Force]] |type= Light [[utility helicopter|utility]] [[military helicopter]] |national_origin= France |manufacturer= [[Aérospatiale]]<br>[[Eurocopter]]<br>[[Airbus Helicopters]] |designer= |first_flight= |introduction= 1990 |retired= |status= In service |primary_user= [[French Army Light Aviation]] |more_users= [[French Air and Space Force]]<br>[[Argentine Naval Aviation]]<br>[[Royal Danish Air Force]]<br>[[Indonesian Army Aviation Center]]<br>[[Royal Malaysian Navy Aviation]]<br>[[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps]] |produced= 1990–present |number_built= |developed_from= [[Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil]]<br>[[Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2]] |variants= }}

The '''Airbus Helicopters''' '''H125M Fennec''' (formerly '''Eurocopter AS550''')<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the H Generation: From EC to H |url=https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/ref/Meet-the-H-Generation_229.html |website=www.airbushelicopters.com |access-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725122939/https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/ref/Meet-the-H-Generation_229.html |archive-date=25 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and '''AS555 Fennec 2''' are lightweight, multipurpose [[military helicopter]]s manufactured by [[Airbus Helicopters]] (formerly Eurocopter Group). Based on the [[Eurocopter AS350|AS350 Ecureuil]] and [[Eurocopter AS355|AS355 Ecureuil 2]] series, they are named after the [[fennec fox]]. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with [[coaxial weapon]]s, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.

== Design == {{Expand section|date=May 2017|small=no}}

The Fennec's design is centered around its lightweight and compact structure, making it an ideal fit for deployment on ships with helipads, such as destroyers or aircraft carriers. This allows for greater flexibility in mission planning and execution, as the Fennec can be easily transported and deployed from a variety of naval vessels.<ref>{{cite book |last= Bishop |first=Chris |date=1999 |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Weapons|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Encyclopedia_of_Modern_Military_Weap/IE9T6BWvwi4C|publisher= [[Barnes & Noble]]|page= 312|isbn=9780760716311 |access-date=April 20, 2025}}</ref>

The Fennec comes in two distinct variants, each catering to different operational requirements. The single-engine variant is optimized for simplicity, reliability, and reduced maintenance, making it an excellent choice for smaller-scale operations or special forces missions. In contrast, the dual-engine variant offers increased power and [[Redundancy (engineering)|redundancy]], making it better suited for more demanding missions, such as heavy-lift transport or combat operations.<ref> {{cite book |last= Frawley |first= Gerard|date= 2001|title=The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 2001/2002|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_International_Directory_of_Civil_Air/QwbKuVlNY9sC |publisher=Aerospace Publications |page=113 |isbn=9781875671526 |access-date=April 20, 2025}} </ref>

==Operational history== As a result of the Vienna Treaty,{{which|date=May 2017}} military variants of the Écureuil were marketed under a separate designation; thus from 1990 onwards the type was marketed as the Fennec.<ref name="euro his">[http://www.eurocopter.ir/site/en/ref/1974_-AS350-355-AS550-555-EC130_469-138.html?noeu_id=469 "1974: AS350/355 Ecureuil/AStar- AS550/555 Fennec – EC130."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226132245/http://www.eurocopter.ir/site/en/ref/1974_-AS350-355-AS550-555-EC130_469-138.html?noeu_id=469 |date=26 December 2015 }} ''Eurocopter'', Retrieved: 25 December 2015.</ref>

AS555 helicopters were delivered to [[French Air and Space Force|French Air Force]] between February 1988 and March 1994, and as of 2018, 40 of them remain operable. 17 AS555 Fennecs were delivered to the [[French Army Light Aviation|ALAT]] in January 1990 and were assigned to the 6th Squadron of Utility Helicopters at the Le Luc Training School, used for training and liaison missions.

Twelve ''AS550 C2'' helicopters were purchased by the [[Royal Danish Air Force]] in 1987, with the first helicopters delivered on August 1990. Due to change in geopolitical environment following the [[collapse of the Soviet Union]] and the end of the [[Cold War]], the Fennec helicopters were gradually repurposed for other tasks, primarily observation and light transport duties. In 2003, they were primarily employed by the [[Eskadrille 724]]. In 2002, 3 Danish Fennec helicopters were deployed to [[North Macedonia|Macedonia]] during [[Operation Amber Fox]]. In December 2005, Fennec helicopters were deployed to support the Danish forces in [[Iraq War|Iraq]] and from August 2007, 4 more were deployed to the troubled country as a replacement for the withdrawn ground troops. In 2008, 4 Fennec helicopters were deployed to the Danish forces in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]]. As a result of various defense agreements, the number of active Fennecs in the Air Force has been reduced to 8 in 2006.

In 1992, four units of ''AS555 AF Fennec'' were delivered to the [[Mexican Naval Aviation]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author= Craig Hoyle|date= 2003|magazine=Jane's Navy International|title= Mexican Navy signs helicopter deal|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jane_s_Navy_International/IBwqAQAAIAAJ |publisher= Jane's Information Group.|page= 10 |access-date=April 18, 2025}}</ref>

AS555 Fennec helicopters were acquired by the [[Argentine Navy]] following the circumstances caused by the [[Falklands War]], as [[United Kingdom]] had blocked the sales of [[Westland Lynx|Westland Sea Lynx]] to [[Argentina]]. Although they had acquired two of ten Lynx helicopters ordered, the first one was accidentally decommissioned during the 1982 conflict and the second one was sold to Denmark after being unable to acquire parts to keep it operational. Due to limited military budget, the ''Eurocopter AS555-SN Fennec'' was chosen to succeed the Lynx, with first four AS555-SN units arriving in 1996.<ref> {{cite book |last=Wragg |first= David W. |date=2003 |title=Jane's Air Forces of the World: The History and Composition of the World's Air Forces |url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jane_s_Air_Forces_of_the_World/_y0hAQAAIAAJ |publisher= [[William Collins, Sons|Collins]]|page= 13|isbn= 9780007115679|access-date=April 18, 2025}}</ref>

In February 2007, India selected the ''AS550 C3'' Fennec over the [[Bell 407]] helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth US$500 million.<ref> {{cite web |url = http://www.kalingatimes.com/orissa_business/news/20070408_Eurocopter_wins_deal.htm# |title = ''Eurocopter wins big Indian Army deal'' |publisher = Kalingatimes.com |access-date = 26 April 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070604180613/http://kalingatimes.com/orissa_business/news/20070408_Eurocopter_wins_deal.htm |archive-date = 4 June 2007 |url-status = dead |df = dmy }}</ref> This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/December/subcontinent_December215.xml&section=subcontinent&col=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211201356/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data%2Fsubcontinent%2F2007%2FDecember%2Fsubcontinent_December215.xml&section=subcontinent&col=|url-status=dead|title=India scraps 600 million dollar Eurocopter deal|archive-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> The contract is now being re-competed, and the AS550 C3 is among the helicopters competing for the deal. However India chose [[Kamov Ka-226]]T over AS550 C3 in the refreshed tender.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/make-in-india-defence-ministry-okays-3-4-billion-deals-including-procurement-of-us-origin-m777-artillery-guns/articleshow/47274605.cms |title = Make in India: Defence ministry okays $3.4 billion deals including procurement of US-origin M777 artillery guns |date = 14 May 2015 |publisher = India Times |last = Pubby |first = Manu |access-date = 21 May 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151029175351/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/make-in-india-defence-ministry-okays-3-4-billion-deals-including-procurement-of-us-origin-m777-artillery-guns/articleshow/47274605.cms |archive-date = 29 October 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/22/nation/7852232&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123172939/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F1%2F22%2Fnation%2F7852232&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2011 |title=Paskal commandos foil hijack attempt in Gulf of Aden |date=22 January 2011 |work=The Star |access-date=13 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Variants== ;Single engine: * AS350 L1/L2 Ecureuil – Original military variants of AS350. * AS550 C2 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B2. * AS550 U2 Fennec – Unarmed version based on AS350 B2. * AS550 C3 Fennec – Armed version based on AS350 B3.

;Twin engine: * AS355 M/M2 Ecureuil 2 – Original military variants of AS355 F. * AS555 AF Fennec 2 – Armed version based on AS355 N. * AS555 AN Fennec 2 – Armed military version, can be fitted with a 20 mm cannon. * AS555 AR Fennec 2 – Armed with cannon and rockets. * AS555 MN Fennec 2 – Unarmed naval version. * AS555 MR Fennec 2 – Naval version. * AS555 SN Fennec 2 – Armed naval version. * AS555 SR Fennec 2 – Armed naval version. * AS555 UN Fennec 2 – Training and utility version. * AS555 UR Fennec 2 – Utility version. * AS555 SP Fennec 2 – Naval version of AS355 NP.

==Operators== [[File:Fennec3H131COAN.jpg|thumb|An [[Argentine Navy]] AS555 SN Fennec 2]] ;{{ARG}} * [[Argentine Naval Aviation]]<ref name="WAF 2018">{{cite web|url =https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/|title =World Air Forces 2018|publisher =Flightglobal Insight|year =2018|access-date =7 September 2018|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180206123925/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/|archive-date =6 February 2018|url-status =live}}</ref> ;{{BRA}} *[[Brazilian Air Force]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> * [[Brazilian Army]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> *[[Brazilian Naval Aviation]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{TCD}} * [[Chadian Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2022">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-directory-2022/146695.article|title = World Air Forces 2022|publisher= Flightglobal |year= 2022 |doi = |access-date= 14 July 2022|url-access=registration}}</ref> ;{{COL}} * [[Colombian Navy]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{DEN}} * [[Royal Danish Air Force]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{ECU}} * [[Ecuadorian Army]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{FRA}} [[File:AS355 Twin Squirrel - RIAT 2011 (out cropped).jpg|thumb|right| An [[Armée de l'air]] [[Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec|AS555]]]] * [[French Air and Space Force]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> * [[French Army Light Aviation]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{IDN}} *[[Indonesian Army]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{KEN}} *[[Kenya Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenya acquires Fennec helicopters |url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53025:kenya-acquires-fennec-helicopters&catid=124:military-helicopters&Itemid=282 |website=DefenceWeb |access-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907005016/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53025:kenya-acquires-fennec-helicopters&catid=124:military-helicopters&Itemid=282 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |date=6 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://kaf.mod.go.ke/?p=1790|title=Helicopters Reception Ceremony|publisher=Kenya Air Force|date=14 September 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024075242/http://kaf.mod.go.ke/?p=1790|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ;{{MYS}} * [[Royal Malaysian Navy Aviation]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{MEX}} * [[Mexican Naval Aviation]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{PAK}} * [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> [[File:050618-Fennec-03.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Royal Danish Air Force|Danish Air Force]] AS550 C2 Fennec]] ;{{QAT}} * [[Qatar Emiri Air Force]].<ref>{{in lang|fr}}http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2018/03/actu/des-helicopteres-nh90-et-h125m-commandes-par-le-qatar {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318061145/http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2018/03/actu/des-helicopteres-nh90-et-h125m-commandes-par-le-qatar/ |date=18 March 2018 }}.</ref> ;{{TAN}} *[[Tanzania Air Force Command]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Binnie |first1=Jeremy |title=Tanzania to take delivery of Super Puma helicopters |url=https://www.janes.com/article/82906/tanzania-to-take-delivery-of-super-puma-helicopters |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911203002/https://www.janes.com/article/82906/tanzania-to-take-delivery-of-super-puma-helicopters |archive-date=11 September 2018 |location=London |date=11 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ;{{THA}} *[[Royal Thai Army]]<ref name="WAF 2018"/> ;{{UZB}} *[[Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces]]<ref name="WAF 2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345|title = World Air Forces 2021|publisher= FlightGlobal |date= 4 December 2020 |access-date= 10 August 2021}}</ref>

===Former operators=== ;{{SIN}} *[[Republic of Singapore Air Force]]<ref name="helis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/937/|title=Republic of Singapore Air Force AS 350|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016104959/http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/937/|archive-date=16 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore---Air/Aerospatiale-AS-550A-2-Fennec/2047756/L/&sid=0f63dda9677e2a7d2bf17f4c6e663e8a |title=Singapore Air AS-550A Fennec |publisher=Demand media |access-date=17 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007072352/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore---Air/Aerospatiale-AS-550A-2-Fennec/2047756/L/%26sid%3D0f63dda9677e2a7d2bf17f4c6e663e8a |archive-date=7 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable accidents== * On 23 April 2024, a [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] (RMN) AS555 SN Fennec 2 with three crew onboard [[2024 Lumut mid-air collision|collided]] with an RMN [[AgustaWestland AW139]] with seven crew at the [[RMN Lumut Naval Base|Royal Malaysian Navy base]] in [[Lumut, Perak]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/10-maut-dua-helikopter-tldm-bertembung-di-lumut-467496 |title=10 maut, dua helikopter TLDM bertembung di Lumut |date= 23 April 2024 |access-date= 23 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="NST 23Apr24 (2)">{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Aliza |title=Lumut helicopter crash: No survivors, says fire department [NSTTV] |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1041473/lumut-helicopter-crash-no-survivors-says-fire-department-nsttv |access-date=23 April 2024 |publisher=New Straits Times |date=April 23, 2024}}</ref> One of the helicopter's rotors clipped the other's, causing both to crash. The Fennec crashed into a swimming pool at the stadium's sports complex.<ref name="TST 23Apr24">{{cite news |title=Two Malaysian helicopters carrying 10 people crash during training in Lumut |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/two-helicopters-crash-during-training-in-lumut |access-date=23 April 2024 |publisher=The Straits Times |date=April 23, 2024}}</ref> The incident occurred during a training flight in preparation for the 90th Naval Day celebration. All ten crew were killed in the crash.<ref name="NST 23Apr24">{{cite news |last1=Hassan |first1=Hazween |title=BREAKING: Ten killed in Lumut navy helicopter crash [NSTTV] |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1041472/breaking-ten-killed-lumut-navy-helicopter-crash-nsttv |access-date=23 April 2024 |publisher=New Straits Times |date=April 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Reuters 23Apr24">{{cite news |title=Ten killed after two Malaysian navy helicopters collide in mid-air |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ten-killed-after-two-malaysian-navy-helicopters-collide-mid-air-2024-04-23/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |publisher=Reuters |date=April 23, 2024}}</ref>

==Specifications (AS550 C3)== [[File:US Navy 051023-N-4374S-001 Pilots of an Argentinean AS 555 Fennec helicopter make final preparations prior to launch from the flight deck of the Spanish oilier SPS Marques De Le Ensenada (A 11).jpg|thumb|The cockpit of an AS 555]] {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004<ref name="JAWA03 p244-5">Jackson 2003, pp. 244–255.</ref> |prime units?=met  |genhide= |crew=2 |capacity=4 passengers |length m=10.93 |length ft= |length in= |length note=(fuselage length), 12.94 m (42 ft 6 in) (overall length, rotors turning) |height m=3.34 |height ft= |height in= |height note= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=1220 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=2250 |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=540 L (143 US Gal) |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Turbomeca Arriel|Turbomeca Arriel 2B]] |eng1 type=[[turboshaft]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp=847 |eng1 kn= |eng1 lbf= |eng1 note=(limited to 500 kW (671 shp for take-off)) |rot number=1 |rot dia m=10.69 |rot dia ft= |rot dia in= |rot area sqm=89.75 |rot area sqft= |rot area note=  [[File:Airbus AS550 Fennec.jpg|thumb|Royal Thai Army AS550 armed with .50" HMP POD]] |perfhide= |max speed kmh=246 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note=(max cruise) |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |never exceed speed kmh=287 |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km=648 |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m=5280 |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=2028 |climb rate note= |disk loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance=  |armament= Provision for: <div> *20 mm Giat [[M621 cannon]] *[[Fabrique Nationale de Herstal]] twin 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun pods *7 x 70mm (2.75") [[Forges de Zeebrugge]] rocket launcher FZ220 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://fz.be/h125m-fennec-as550c3 |title=H125M Helicopter 70-mm rocket system |publisher=FZ |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107084905/http://fz.be/h125m-fennec-as550c3 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> or 12 x 68 mm [[SNEB#Rocket launchers, pods|Thales Brandt rockets]] *[[BGM-71 TOW]] anti-tank missiles</div> |avionics= }} <ref name="helis.com"/>

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}} {{aircontent |related= * [[Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil]] * [[Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2]] * [[Eurocopter EC130]] * [[Changhe Z-11]] |similar aircraft= * [[Bell 206]] * [[Bell 407]] * [[MD Helicopters MD 500]] * [[Eurocopter EC635]] * [[PZL SW-4 Puszczyk|PZL SW-4]] |lists= |see also= }}

==References== === Notes === {{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography === * Jackson, Paul. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004''. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. {{ISBN|0-7106-2537-5}}.

==External links== {{Commons category|Airbus Helicopters Fennec family}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060311120436/http://www.eurocopter.com/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?noeu_id=92&lang=EN Official webpage] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080416013033/http://www.danskpanser.dk/Helikoptere/Fennec.htm Danish AS 550 Fennec]

[[Category:Aérospatiale aircraft|Fennec]] [[Category:Airbus Helicopters aircraft]] [[Category:Military helicopters]] [[Category:1990s French helicopters]] [[Category:Single-turbine helicopters]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1990]]