Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_HH-65_Dolphin

The Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engine, single main rotor,
medevac-capable search and rescue (SAR) helicopter operated by the United States
Coast Guard (USCG). It is a variant of the French-built Eurocopter AS365
Dauphin.

The SA366 G1 Dauphin version was selected by the United States Coast Guard in
1979 as its new short range recovery (SRR) air-sea rescue helicopter, replacing
the Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard. In total 99 helicopters, optimised for the USCG's
search and rescue role tasks and given the designation HH-65A Dolphin, were
acquired. Unlike the HH-52, the HH-65A is not able to perform water landings.
The HH-65 normally carries a crew of four: Pilot, Copilot, Flight Mechanic and
Rescue Swimmer.

The Dolphin was manufactured by Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation (later
American Eurocopter) in Grand Prairie, Texas. Lycoming LTS101-750B-2 turboshaft
engines were selected for the twin engine powerplant whilst Rockwell Collins
manufactured the HH-65's avionics in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The HH-65 Dolphin is used for homeland security patrols, cargo, drug
interdiction, ice breaking, military readiness, pollution control, and search
and rescue missions. The HH-65 is known for its Fenestron tail rotor and its
autopilot capabilities, which can complete an unaided approach to the water and
bring the aircraft into a stable 50 ft (15 m) hover, or automatically fly search
patterns, an ability which allows the crew to engage in other tasks.

The HH-65A's minimum equipment requirements exceeded anything previously
packaged into a helicopter weighing less than 10,000 pounds (4,535 kg).
Seventy-five percent of the HH-65's structure—including rotorhead, rotor blades
and fuselage—consists of corrosion-resistant composite materials.

Also a unique feature of the Dolphin is its computerized flight management
system, which integrates state-of-the-art communications and navigation
equipment. This system provides automatic flight control. At the pilot's
direction, the system will bring the aircraft to a stable hover 50 feet (15 m)
above a selected object. This is an important safety feature in darkness or
inclement weather. Selected search patterns can be flown automatically, freeing
the pilot and copilot to concentrate on sighting & searching the object.

A distinctive feature of the MH-65 is its fenestron ducted-fan anti-torque
device. The fenestron consists of 11 blades spinning inside a circular housing
at the base of the helicopter's tail fin.


Role
Search and rescue helicopter

National origin
France/United States

Manufacturer
Aérospatiale Helicopter Corporation
American Eurocopter

First flight
1980

Introduction
1985

Status
In service

Primary user
United States Coast Guard

Number built
102

Unit cost

$9 million


Developed from
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin

The Dolphin is primarily a Short Range Recovery (SRR) aircraft. There are now a
total of 102 Dolphins in the Coast Guard Fleet. The fleet has home ports in 17
cities on the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, and the Great
Lakes region.

The Dolphin is usually deployed from shore but it can be deployed from medium
and high endurance Coast Guard Cutters, as well as the Polar Icebreakers. The
Dolphin's main jobs a search and rescue, enforcement of laws and treaties
(including drug interdiction), polar ice breaking, marine environmental
protection including pollution control, and military readiness.

When deployed from an icebreaker, the helicopter acts as the ship's eyes,
searching out thinner and more navigable ice channels. They also have the job of
airlifting supplies to villages isolated by winter, or transporting scientists
to conduct remote research.

Specifications (MH-65C)

General characteristics
Crew: 2 pilots and 2 crew
Length: 11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
Height: 4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Empty weight: 3,128 kg (6,896 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshaft engines, 636 kW (853 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 11.9 m (39 ft 1 in)
Main rotor area: 38.54 m2 (414.8 sq ft)

Performance
Maximum speed: 333 km/h; 207 mph (180 kn)
Range: 658 km (409 mi; 355 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,486 m (17,999 ft)

Armament

Guns:

1 x 7.62 mm M240 machine gun
1 x Barrett M107 0.50 in (12.70 mm) caliber precision rifle




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