The Eurocopter AS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search & rescue, and MEDEVAC.
[edit] Variants
A Mexican marine fast ropes onto the flight deck of the German Combat Support Ship Frankfurt Am Main (A1412) during a simulated multi-national maritime interdiction operation
Maneuvering of a French Navy AS565 MA
Panther helicopter on the
Cassard 
The Panther helicopter of the
Cassard transferring a light load to the
Meuse Variants of the Panther have included the following:
- SA 365 FK
- Original designation of SA 365 K
- SA 365 K
- The first version of the Panther, based on the AS365 N2. Offered with various armaments, including podded Giat M621 20mm cannon, 2.75in Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ) rockets (in pods of 19) or 68mm Thales Brandt rockets (in pods of 22).
- AS565 UA
- Utility version of the AS365 N2
- AS565 UB
- Utility version of the AS365 N3, currently in production. This version is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts, which are equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The main missions of this version are transport of 8 to 10 fully-equipped troops, casualty evacuation and logistic support.
- AS565 AA
- Attack version of the AS365 N2.
- AS565 AB
- Attack version of the AS365 N3.
- AS565 MA
- Naval search & rescue version of the AS365 N2.
- AS565 MB
- Naval search & rescue version of the AS365 N3, currently in production. The main missions of this version are anti-surface vessel warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), troop transport, logistic support, and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC)/medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). This version is fitted with a quick-securing 'Harpoon' deck securing device that allows it to land on and take off from ships, whatever the relative wind direction. Offered with various armaments, including cabin-mounted 20mm cannon, AS 15 TT anti-shipping missile, Mark 46 torpedo and Whitehead A.244/S torpedo.
- AS565 SA
- ASW version of the AS365 N2.
- AS565 SB
- ASW version of the AS365 N3.
- AS565 CA
- Anti-tank version of the AS365 N2, armed with HOT missiles.
- AS565 N3
- Maritime patrol and surveillance version of the AS365 N3 for the Hellenic Coast Guard
- AS565 SC
- Search and rescue version for Saudi Arabia.
- HM-1 Panteras
- Brazilian Army designation of the AS565.
- Panther 800
- Version offered for the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter program as a replacement for the UH-1 Huey, with 2 LHTEC T800 turboshafts. Test flown only.[1]
[edit] Operators
Angola
Brazil
Bulgaria
- Bulgarian Navy ordered six AS565 MBs which are to be used for maritime surveillance, search & rescue, anti-submarine and anti-surface operations, and which are expected to be delivered between 2010 and 2011.[2]
People's Republic of China
Republic of China
France
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Mexico
- Mexican Navy operates two aircraft; two more AS565 MB Panthers are scheduled to be delivered in May and in August of 2010 to operate from newly built Oaxaca Class patrol ships.[3][4]
Morocco
Saudi Arabia[citation needed]
South Korea
Thailand[citation needed]
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States[citation needed]
Zambia[citation needed]
[edit] Specifications (AS365 MB Panther)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
- Capacity: 10 commandos
- Length: 13.68 m (45.88ft)
- Rotor diameter: 11.94 m (39.17ft)
- Height: 3.97 m (13.02ft)
- Empty weight: 2,380 kg (5,247 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,300 kg (9,480 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts, 635 kW (851 shp) each
Performance
Armament
- Guns: Giat M621 20 mm cannon pods.
- Rockets: 68 mm and 70 mm unguided rockets.
- Missiles:
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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