The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS355 Écureuil 2 (or Twin Squirrel) is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and originally manufactured by Aérospatiale in France.
The Écureuil 2 was directly derived from the single-engined AS350 Écureuil, performing its maiden flight on 28 September 1979 and introduced to service shortly thereafter. The type was commonly marketed in North America as the TwinStar.
During the 1990s, Aérospatiale merged its helicopter interests into the multinational Eurocopter consortium; under this new entity, the Écureuil 2 continued to be manufactured. Shortly after Eurocopter’s rebranding as Airbus Helicopters, the group decided to discontinue production of the Écureuil 2 during 2016, however, production of its single-engined siblings has continued since then.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 6 /
Length: 12.94 m (42 ft 5 in) inc. main and tail rotors
10.93 m (36 ft) fuselage and tail rotor only
Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in)
Empty weight: 1,305 kg (2,877 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,540 kg (5,600 lb) internal load
2,600 kg (5,732 lb) with max. slung load
Fuel capacity: 730 L (190 US gal; 160 imp gal) usable, in two tanks
Powerplant: 2 × Allison 250-C20F turboshaft engines, 313 kW (420 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35 ft 1 in)
Main rotor area: 89.75 m2 (966.1 sq ft)
Blade aerofoil section: ONERA OA211 : root; ONERA OA209/OA207
Performance
Cruise speed: 224 km/h (139 mph, 121 kn) (max cruise)
Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
Range: 703 km (437 mi, 380 nmi) with max fuel no reserve
Service ceiling: 3,400 m (11,200 ft)
Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)
