AS550 C3e - Eurocopter

AS550 C3e - FENNEC

AS550 C3e Fennec
A high performance
single engine helicopter
A talented aircraft
The AS550 C3e Fennec is Eurocopter’s 2-ton class answer to Armed
Forces requirements. Easy to operate in extreme and harsh conditions, this
Armed Scout helicopter combines safety and performance.
A very small footprint, providing low detectability
Incredibly manoeuvrable and agile, the Fennec is perfectly designed to
perform combat flight (nap of the earth - NOE). The Fennec is naturally
stealth and NOE increases its protection against military threat. This Scout
helicopter is suitably involved all over the operational spectrum thanks to its
Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS). The SAWS provides the capacity to
rapidly mount or dismount any kind of weapon on its strong beams. The
Fennec AS550 C3e also proves to be a stable firing platform at night and day.
Easy to maintain and to fly
This aircraft includes all the proven characteristics of the civilian AS350 B3
version, such as state of the art technology and low operating costs. Its
simple design, reliability of equipment, low fuel consumption and light
maintenance make the Fennec AS550 C3e the most cost effective Armed
Scout helicopter, which benefits from an easy field maintenance.
The AS550 C3e Fennec is a multi-role helicopter matching any of the
following missions:
• Armed Scout
• Light Utility
• Training
3

Armed Scout:
The strongest Armed Scout helicopter of its class, the Fennec combines
power, discretion and firing ability.
Fitted with a powerful TURBOMECA Arriel 2D engine equipped with a dual channel Full Authority Digital
Engine Control (FADEC®)system this world altitude record holder (Mount Everest, 8,850m, May 2005)
can perform extreme combat flight in high and hot conditions (The AS550 C3e is fully operational from
the highest altitudes - 7,000 m / 23,000 ft- to the hottest sandy environments - + 50°C / 122°F). Its
Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD®) provides accurate information concerning the
performance and condition of aircraft, dramatically reducing the crew’s workload.
One hundred percent focused on their missions, pilots will never miss out on any power and battle
captains will always enjoy the best equipment and Weapon System available today on a combat
helicopter of this size.

Low Detectability
Able to fly safely in the battlefield
thanks to its slim silhouette, the
Fennec emits a diminished radar
signature through extensive use of
composite materials as well as a low
Infra-Red reflective paint.
NOE Capability
The Fennec behaves with an
outstanding manoeuvrability when
performing combat flight. Easy to fly
and to fight it will forgive you a lot
because of its high power reserve.
The Fennec AS550 C3e is specially
designed to fly air missions with
the primary purpose of locating and
attacking targets of opportunity.
It relies on a very large array of
qualities (stealth, power, simplicity and
firing stability) to carry out demanding
armed reconnaissance missions.
Tracking armoured vehicles, it
observes, identifies and reports while
performing tough screening actions.
This discreet but robust reconnaissance
helicopter is able to solely destroy any
threat or deliver it to the fires of friend
attack helicopters.
At ease through the entire operational
spectrum, the Fennec safely escorts
utility or attack helicopters leaving
them the opportunity to remain
focused on their own missions.
Ready to answer any distress call
from troops in contact (TIC), it will
accurately fire with force.
If armed reconnaissance is needed,
the AS550 C3e Fennec’s ability to fire
any kind of weapon will ensure hasty
fire support for troops in contact and
autonomous strong destruction.
The Fennec has the greatest range in
its category, which allows Tactical Air
Control parties to effectively guide
attack helicopters or Close Air
Support (CAS) fixed wing aircraft to
their targets from a roomy and very
handy flying cabin.
Command and control is easy and
comfortable for any military on duty
who appreciates night and day visibility
and ergonomics. In this helicopter,
there is no separation between the
cockpit and the cabin, and the field of
view is excellent, even from behind.
Easy to fly at the highest limits, the
Fennec provides safety to escorted
friends (vehicles & helicopters).
5

Light Utility
With a spacious cabin (3m 3 ) and a flat floor, the Fennec AS550 C3e
offers real flexibility. It is integrated with a broad array of equipment
enabling it to perform the widest range of missions.
The Fennec offers a
proven platform ready
for the wide range of
missions:
• Tactical transport
• Command & Control (C2)
• CASEVAC
• SAR
• Fire fighting
• Cargo sling

Tactical transport
Small helicopter with a roomy cabin,
the Fennec can easily transport four
equipped soldiers to their destination.
Stretchers Rappelling installation
Breeze Hoist
Cargo swing 1,400 Kg Bambi bucket
7

Training
Simple to implement but well equipped, the Fennec AS550 C3e is a perfect tool for basic and advanced
single engine instruction. Beginning their training with the Fennec, trainees from Armed Forces will
learn to fly from their first hover up to night vision goggle tactical fires on the same platform.
• Basic flight
• Navigation
• Night flight
• Night Vision Goggles flight
• Combat flight (NOE)
• Cargo swing
• Fire

Technology
The strongest Armed Scout helicopter of its class, the Fennec
combines power, discretion and the ability to fire.
Fitted with a powerful TURBOMECA
Arriel 2D engine equipped with a dual
channel Full Authority Digital Engine
Control (FADEC) system, this world
altitude record holder (Mount Everest
8,850 m, May 2005) can perform
extreme combat flight in high and hot
conditions. The AS550 C3e is fully
operational from the highest altitudes
(7,000 m / 23,000 ft) to the hottest
sandy environments (+ 50°C / 122°F).
Its Vehicle and Engine Multifunction
Display (VEMD®) provides accurate
information concerning the
performance and condition of the
aircraft, dramatically reducing the
crew’s workload.
The VEMD® on the instrument panel,
a new generation of integrated
instrumentation, allows the pilot to
see at first glance the main vehicle
and engine parameters on a dual LCD
screen. The sophisticated VEMD®
monitoring system ensures that the
pilot can concentrate on his primary
task and decreases his workload.
This aircraft also allows night flight
thanks to the cockpit compatibility
with night vision goggles. The AS550
C3e is the best compromise between
transport capacity and operating
range in its category. Its low
implementation cost makes it a
remarkable training tool.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2D engine
This engine is equipped with a FADEC®
system. Simple (5 module & proven: it
benefits from the experienced ARRIEL
family that counts 30 million flight hours.
State of the art technology
• Extensive use of composite material
• SPHERIFLEX® rotor head:
no lubrication required,
small amount of parts
• Interchangeable composite main
rotor blades, infinite life, no corrosion
• Bearingless composite tail rotor
blades.
9

Support and Services
At Eurocopter, supporting your helicopter operations with the highest level of excellence is our priority.
We are dedicated to providing you with complete services solutions in order to maximize your combat
readiness and to support you in ensuring public security or saving lives. Our customer support team is
at your service 24/7to keep you flying.
In order to provide customized services, we offer:
• A worldwide service network of 30 subsidiaries and participations, more than 100 distributors,
representatives, training centres, repair and overhaul facilities, and maintenance centres around the
globe, as well as logistic hubs in France, Hong Kong and the USA.
• Customer Service Centres in Europe, Asia and the USA offering around-the-clock customer assistance,
• A wide array of service solutions to meet all your needs in terms of technical support, component
repair and overhaul, spare parts support, technical publications and training – at Eurocopter facilities
worldwide or at your facilities.

Comprehensive standard support
Eurocopter offers, from the moment you purchase your aircraft:
• Customer Service Centre
• Initial Parts Provisioning
• Warranty
• Technical support
• On-site technical assistance
• Technical publications
• Type rating for pilots and
technicians
We also provide the following services
solutions, depending on your specific
operational needs and availability
requirements: Repair and Overhaul
Easy Maintenance
The simple design, reliability, low fuel
consumption and light maintenance
make the AS550 C3 a cost effective
weapon and mission system.
solutions carried out in our certified
workshops, By-the-Hour Solutions,
consulting as well as advanced
services.
For AS550 C3 operators, Eurocopter
offer tailor-made services to match
your operational requirements:
• Guaranteed Turn-Around-Times will
enable you to better schedule your
maintenance while keeping your
own parts.
TRAINING
* From advanced training tools to Full
Flight Simulators:
CAI (Computer Aided Instruction)
• A teaching tool fully FCL2, Part 147
T2-T2 compliant and specially
designed for instructors.
• Standard exchange service will
support your aircraft availability and
inventory optimization.
• Combined with the classroom
courses, the CAI will help reduce
the training time and significantly
improve the trainees’ skills.
CBT (Computer Based Training)
• Self training tool used on site and
on your own schedule.
* Mission-oriented training programs
based on specific operations are also
available, including:
Safety and Survival training:
• How to assure a safe and efficient
flight, in accordance with Appendix
1 paragraph OPS 3.965.
Survival and Rescue training:
• How to survive, be located and
rescued during harsh winter
conditions.
11

Characteristics
The SAWS includes:
• A multipurpose mission computer
• An EO/IR with Infra Red camera, TV and laser range finder for observation, acquisition and tracking
of targets
• A ballistic targeting system based on a Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (option)
• Two multi purpose weapon carriers with slaving units and release units
• A choice of weapon: gunpod, unguided and guided rockets and air-to-ground missiles.
EOS (Electro-Optic System)
20 mm cannon pod
12.7 mm machine-gun pod
Guided missiles
12-tube rocket launcher
7-tube rocket launcher

Ecureuil / Fennec family:
* 4,890 delivered, over
22 million flight hours,
some 1,600
customers in 110
countries, fleet leader
30,400 flying hours
* 400 military
helicopters already
ordered by 44 armed
forces in 35 countries
CAPACITY
Passenger transportation 1 pilot + 5 passengers (standard version)
Troop transportation 1 pilot + 4 soldiers
1 pilot + 4 passengers (comfort version)
Casualty evacuation 1 pilot + 1 stretcher patient + 2 doctors
WEIGHTS
Maximum take-off weight 2,250 kg 4,960 lb
MTOW with jettisonable armament 2,450 kg 5,401 lb
Maximum take-off weight with external load 2,800 kg 6,172 lb
Empty weight 1,265 kg 2,789 lb
Useful load 985 kg 2,171 lb
Maximum cargo-swing load 1,400 kg 3,086 lb
Standard fuel capacity 426 kg 939 lb
ENGINE 1 TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2D
Take-off power 632 kW 847 shp
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed (Vne) 287 km per hr 155 kts
Fast cruise speed (at MCP) 248 km per hr 134 kts
Recommended cruise speed 208 km per hr 112 kts
Rate of climb 9,8 m per sec 1,935 ft per min
Service ceiling 7,000 m 23,000 ft
Hover ceiling OGE at ISA, MTOW, take-off power 3,383 m 11,100 ft
Maximum range without reserve at Recommended Cruise Speed 600 km 351 nm
Endurance without reserve at 100 km per hr-54 kts > 4 h
13

EC145-05.10-E.
AS550 C3e.11 -11-E.
Designed
Designed
by Eurocopter
by Eurocopter
- Photos:
- Photos:
Remy
Eurocopter©
Michelin - Marcus
- DR - Anthony
Schlaf - Wolfgang
Pecchi - Jérôme
Obrusnik
Deulin
- Patrick
- Philippe
Penna
Kohn
- Jérôme
- Céline
Deulin
Simonpaoli
- Claes Axstal
- Patrick
- Eric
Penna
Raz
- American
Giuseppe
Eurocopter
Bergamini.
, Thinking without ,Thinking limits, without EC155B1 limits, - Stylence AS550 C3e - VEMD are trademarks are trademarks of the of Eurocopter the Eurocopter Group. Group. Corporate Corporate Communications Department.
Eurocopter reserves the right to make configuration and data changes at any time without notice.
The facts and figures contained in this document and expressed in good faith do not constitute any offer or contract with Eurocopter.
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