Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Aerospatiale HH-65 Dolphin
Category
Prime contractor
Production
1985–2024
Quantity
102
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
48
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1980
- Service Entry Year1985
- Crew4
- Passengers0
- Primary Rolesearch and rescue, medevac, homeland security, drug interdiction, ice breaking, pollution control
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant7MOD.7
- Engine TypeHoneywell LTS101-750B-2 turboshaft (original), later Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG
- Number of Engines2
- Engine Power (each)1,094 kW
- Rotor Configurationmain rotor with 4 blades, fenestron tail rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter10.7 m
- Main Rotor Blades4
- Anti-Torque Typefenestron ducted-fan
▣Performance8MOD.8
- Top Speed260 km/h
- Cruise Speed230 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)278 km/h
- Service Ceiling4,500 m
- Range600 km
- Ferry Range800 km
- Rate of Climb6 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length13 m
- Height3.9 m
- Rotor Disc Area90
- Empty Weight2,800 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight4,300 kg
- Useful Load1,500 kg
- Cabin Volume7
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload1,000 kg
- GunM240G 7.62 mm machine gun (MH-65C AUF package)
- Anti-Tank MissilesNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Rocket PodsNo
- Sling Load Capacity2,000 kg
- Rescue HoistYes
▤Avionics7MOD.7
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲Production2MOD.2
- Total Built102
- Variants7
◎Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1985
- Production End2024
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1985Production started
- 2024Production ended
41
years in service
39
years in production
102
units produced
2
countries operating
05 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
149UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS48COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS144PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
Combined forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor turret for target acquisition and tracking, typically mounted on aircraft or ground vehicles.
A radar system that tracks targets and guides weapons to intercept them, used for weapon aiming and missile guidance in combat aircraft and ships.
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit featuring electronic instrument displays, typically LCD or CRT screens, replacing traditional analog gauges.
A mechanical device used to lift personnel or cargo via a cable, typically mounted on helicopters for rescue or recovery operations.
A radar system used to detect and track precipitation, storm intensity, and wind patterns to assist in flight operations and mission planning.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources