Dauphin Helicopter

The Dauphin Helicopter, officially Airbus AS 365 Dauphin, is a twin engine, Fenstron equipped, utility helicopter that serves in a multitude of capacities around the world.   It was originally produced by Aérospatiale, that became Eurocopter, and is now Airbus.

In 1980 the Dauphin Helicopter set a number of world speed records.  The French Navy deployed the Dauphin Helicopter for search and rescue missions and on its aircraft carriers soon after its introduction.  Newer versions of the Dauphin Helicopter continue to be deployed by the French Navy today.

Well over 1,000 Dauphin Helicopter and its variants are  currently deployed throughout the world in both military and civil use.  The Chinese produce a version of the Dauphin Helicopter for civil aviation use, under license.

The United States Coast Guard operates the Dauphin Helicopter around the country. It is specially equipped with an infra-red search system, all weather avionics, a 2,640 lb. capacity winch over the starboard door, a searchlight, first aid gear, and a stretcher. In the event of a water ditching, it is equipped with pop out inflatable flotation gear.