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The AS 350
Écureuil ("Squirrel") and AS 355 Écureuil 2 are a family of light
helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter Group.
The AS 350 is the single-engined version, while the AS 355 (Twin
Squirrel) uses two engines.
Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and
the first flight took place on 27 June 1974. A twin-engined version,
known as the Écureuil 2, Twin Squirrel, first flew on 3 October 1979.
The Eurocopter AS-350 is produced is a large number of variations and
is in use by many Civil, Police and Military operators worldwide. Some
of the versions include the AS 350 and AS 355, and the AS 550 and AS
555 Fennec military versions and the latest version the EC 130.
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AS-350B ECUREUIL
(SQUIRREL) Specifications |
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Type |
Light Utility
Helicopter |
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Manufacturer |
Eurocopter |
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Accommodation |
Two pilots and three or
four seats in the cabin |
|
Armament |
None |
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Performance |
Max
speed 178 mph (287 km/h) |
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Main Rotor Diameter |
35ft (10.6m) |
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Length |
42ft 5in (12.9m) |
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Height |
3.14m (10.96ft) |
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Weight |
weight empty 1.200kg, max take off weight
2,250kg |
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Powerplant |
B2 one Arriel 1D1 turboshaft producing max
732shp (546 kw), B3 one Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turboshaft producing max
848shp (632kw) |
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Variants |
AS-350B2, AS-350B3 with uprated engine, Squirrel HT1, Twin
Squirrel HCC1, powered by Two Allison 250-C20R turboshafts, AS-555 Fennec
military versions |
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