The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (or Squirrel), now Airbus Helicopters H125, is a single-engine light utility helicopter originally designed and manufactured in France by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters).
In North America, the AS350 is marketed as the AStar.
The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar.
Variants
AS350
Prototype.
AS350 Firefighter
Fire fighting version.
AS350B
Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
AS350 B1
Improved version of the original AS350B, which is powered by one Arriel 1D engine, type also fitted with AS355 main rotor blades, AS355 tail rotor with tabs and a tail rotor servo.
AS350 B2
Higher gross weight version powered by one Arriel 1D1 engine over the B1 version with aerodynamic strake fitted to tail boom along the starboard side and angled engine exhaust duct for better yaw control.
AS350 B3
High-performance version, is powered by an Arriel 2B engine equipped with a single channel Digital Engine Control Unit (DECU) with a mechanical backup system.
This helicopter is the first ever to land on the summit of Mount Everest.
AS350 B3/2B1
Variant introduces enhanced engine with dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) Maximum Take Off Weight.
AS350 B3e
(introduced late 2011)
Equipped with the Arriel 2D engine; AS350 B3e renamed H125.
AS350 BA
Powered by an Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.
AS350 BB
AS350 B2 variant selected to meet rotary-wing training needs of UK MoD, through its Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1996.
Powered by a de-rated Arriel 1D1 engine to improve the helicopters life cycle.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1
Designation of AS350BB operated by the British Military as a training helicopter.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
Designation of AS350BB operated by the British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.
AS350 C
Initial variant of Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 powered version developed for the North American market as the AStar.
Quickly superseded by AS350D.
AS350 D
Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar.
At one stage marketed as AStar ‘Mark III.’
AS350 L1
Military derivative of AS350 B1, powered by a 510kW (684shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine.
Superseded by AS350 L2.
AS350 L2
Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546 kW (732shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine.
Designation superseded by AS550 C2.
HB350 B Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force.
Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 B1 Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy.
Brazilian designation UH-12.
Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 L1
Armed military version for the Brazilian Army.
Brazilian designation HA-1.
Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
AS355
AS355 Prototype of the twin-engined Écureuil 2 or Twin Squirrel.
AS355 E
Initial production version, with single hydraulics, powered by two Allison 250-C20F turboshaft engines.
AS355 F
Improved version, with dual hydraulics and iAS355 Prototype of the twin-engined Écureuil 2 or Twin Squirrel. AS355 E
Initial production version, with single hydraulics, powered by two Allison 250-C20F turboshaft engines. AS355 F
Improved version, with dual hydraulics and increased maximum weight of 2,300 kg (5,070 lb). AS355 F1
Powered by two Allison 250-C20F engines, 2,400 kg (5,291 lb) Maximum weight. AS355 F2
Powered by two Allison 250-C20F engines, 2,540 kg (5,600 lb) Maximum weight and a yaw compensation system. AS355 M
Initial armed version of AS355 F1.
AS355 M2
Armed version of AS355 F2.
Superseded by AS555 Fennec. AS355 N Ecureuil 2
Version fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for better M.T.O.W (2,600 kg or 5,732 lb) and better single engine performance, tail rotor strake added along starboard side of tail boom for better yaw authority.
AS355 NP Ecureuil 2
Introduced in 2007, this version is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and a new AS350 B3-based main gearbox, increasing maximum take-off weight to 2,800 kg (6,173 lb). HB.355F Esquilo Bi
Assembled in Brazil by Helibras (part of Eurocopter). HB.355N Esquilo Bi
Assembled in Brazil by Helibras.
Increased maximum weight of 2,300 kg (5,070 lb).
AS355 F1
Powered by two Allison 250-C20F engines, 2,400 kg (5,291 lb) Maximum weight.
AS355 F2
Powered by two Allison 250-C20F engines, 2,540 kg (5,600 lb) Maximum weight and a yaw compensation system.
AS355 M
Initial armed version of AS355 F1.
AS355 M2
Armed version of AS355 F2.
Superseded by AS555 Fennec.
AS355 N Ecureuil 2
Version fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for better M.T.O.W (2,600 kg or 5,732 lb) and better single engine performance, tail rotor strake added along starboard side of tail boom for better yaw authority.
AS355 NP Ecureuil 2
Introduced in 2007, this version is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and a new AS350 B3, based main gearbox, increasing maximum take-off weight to 2,800 kg (6,173 lb).
HB.355F Esquilo Bi
Assembled in Brazil by Helibras (part of Eurocopter).
HB.355N Esquilo Bi
Assembled in Brazil by Helibras.
Specifications
Écureuil 1
Crew
1
Capacity
5
The 6 passenger configuration replaces the single passenger forward seat with a two-person bench seat.
