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AS355 Écureuil 2
Photo: Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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AS355Écureuil2

Utility / Transport Helicopters · France · 1975
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AS355Écureuil2

AS355 Écureuil 2
AS355 Écureuil 2 Photo: Laurent ERRERA from L'Union, France · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload / Capacity
65
Range
60
Versatility
80
Reliability
85
Speed
55
Survivability
60
Hot-and-High Performance
70
Maintainability
80
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin France
ManufacturerHelibras
CategoryUtility / Transport Helicopters
EraCold War
In service1975–2016
Operators18 countries
Quantity350
Data Quality87%
71
Utility / Transport Helicopters MASS Rating
20/61
Cold War
59/208
All-Time
Utility / Transport Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Payload / Capacity
65
Range
60
Versatility
80
Reliability
85
Speed
55
Survivability
60
Hot-and-High Performance
70
Maintainability
80
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
AS355 Écureuil 2
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1975–2016
Quantity
350
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
71
utility / transport helicopters category
ⓘ 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 Flight1979
  • Service Entry Year1979
  • Crew1
  • Passengers6
  • Primary RoleLight utility helicopter
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
  • Engine TypeAllison 250-C20F
  • Number of Engines2
  • Engine Power (each)313 kW
  • Transmission Rating550 kW
  • Rotor ConfigurationStarflex main rotor
  • Main Rotor Diameter10.69 m
  • Main Rotor Blades3
  • Anti-Torque TypeFenestron tail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed278 km/h
  • Cruise Speed224 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)278 km/h
  • Service Ceiling3,400 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)2,000 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)1,500 m
  • Range700 km
  • Ferry Range930 km
  • Rate of Climb6.5 m/s
  • Endurance330
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length12.94 m
  • Height3.14 m
  • Rotor Disc Area89.75
  • Empty Weight1,305 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight2,600 kg
  • Useful Load1,295 kg
  • Cabin Volume2.2
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
▲Production1MOD.1
  • Variants10
◎Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1975
  • Production End2016
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1975Production started
  2. 2016Production ended
51
years in service
41
years in production
350
units produced
18
countries operating
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
AS355 Écureuil 2 1975
// DERIVATIVES
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
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.
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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Utility / Transport Helicopters entry →