Aérospatiale AS355 Écureuil 2

Airbus Helicopters · France · first flew 1979 · helicopter

The AS355 Écureuil 2 is the twin-engine derivative of the AS350 Écureuil, offering enhanced safety and performance through a two-engine configuration while retaining the same basic airframe. It is marketed in North America as the TwinStar.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.93 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine version of the AS350 Écureuil
Conventional tail rotor (not fenestron)
Popular police and corporate twin-turbine light helicopter

Visually near-identical to the single-engine AS350 but with two engine exhaust stacks above the cabin instead of one; the twin-engine configuration can be confirmed by the engine cowling detail.

Specifications

The Aérospatiale AS355 Écureuil 2 has a length of 10.93 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.69 m (35 ft).
Its maximum speed is 278 km/h (173 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed to meet operators' demands for the additional safety margin of twin-engine power, the AS355 entered service in 1980. It shared the Starflex composite rotor head and general airframe of the single-engine AS350, making maintenance straightforward for mixed-fleet operators. The type found a strong market with police, EMS, and corporate users.

Variants

Variants include the AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N (with improved Arrius engines); the AS555 Fennec is the military version.

Where you'll see it

Widely used by police aviation units, offshore oil support operators, and EMS services; the AS555 Fennec serves with several European military forces.

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