Eurocopter Fennec

The Eurocopter AS550 Fennec and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group. Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the Fennec Fox. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.

Operational history
In February 2007, India selected the AS550 C3 Fennec over the Bell 407 helicopter in a deal for 197 helicopters worth 500 million USD. This deal was suspended in June 2007 because of concerns of alleged corruption in the bidding process, and cancelled outright on 6 December 2007. The contract is now being re-competed, and the AS550 C3 is among the helicopters competing for the deal.

On 20 January 2011, Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL commandos rescued a hijacked Malaysian chemical tanker and its crew from Somali pirates. A Fennec helicopter provide reconnaissance and aerial gunfire to keep the pirate’s mother ship at bay while commandos boarded the tanker.

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 uility version.
 * AS555 UR Fennec 2 - Utility version.
 * AS555 SP Fennec 2 - Naval version of AS355 NP.

Operators



 * Argentine Naval Aviation (AS555)
 * Brazilian Army (AS550)
 * Colombian Navy (AS555)
 * Royal Danish Air Force (AS550)
 * French Air Force ( AS555)
 * French Army (AS555)
 * Royal Malaysian Navy (AS555)
 * Mexican Navy (AS555 )
 * Pakistan Army (AS550 U2)
 * Royal Thai Army (6 on order)
 * French Army (AS555)
 * Royal Malaysian Navy (AS555)
 * Mexican Navy (AS555 )
 * Pakistan Army (AS550 U2)
 * Royal Thai Army (6 on order)
 * Pakistan Army (AS550 U2)
 * Royal Thai Army (6 on order)
 * Royal Thai Army (6 on order)
 * Royal Thai Army (6 on order)

Former Operators

 * Republic of Singapore Air Force
 * Republic of Singapore Air Force