On January 24, the multi-purpose helicopter AS365 Dauphin turned 50 years old.

On January 24, the multi-purpose AS365 Dauphin helicopter turned 50 years old. On that day in 1975, its first prototype took flight. The aircraft was developed by the French company Aérospatiale, which became part of the European consortium Eurocopter in 1992. In turn, Eurocopter was reorganized into Airbus Helicopters in 2014.
Among the distinctive design features of the AS365 family of helicopters are retractable landing gear and the use of a fenestron tail rotor instead of a traditional tail rotor. Since 1985, these helicopters were the first in the world to be equipped with digital avionics.
Serial production of the helicopter in Europe continued until 2022, with a total of 1,098 units built. Eighteen main variants are known, including the multi-purpose Eurocopter EC155 and the military AS565 Panther. In 1981, the Chinese company Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing began licensed production of these helicopters under the name Z-9. Harbin produced more than 200 units, developed several of its own modifications, and continues production to this day.
One of the most popular versions was the multi-purpose Eurocopter AS365 N3, powered by two Turboméca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines, each with a takeoff power of 838 hp. The helicopter was 13.73 meters long, with a main rotor diameter of 11.94 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 4,300 kg, a capacity of up to 12 passengers, a top speed of 306 km/h, and a range of over 820 km.
The Dauphin helicopters earned an excellent reputation. Their crews praised the aircraft for their high maneuverability, reliability, ability to fly safely in strong crosswinds, and adaptability to various climatic conditions. One testament to their outstanding qualities was the delivery of 102 units, known as the MH-65 Dolphin, to the U.S. Coast Guard—a notable achievement considering U.S. government agencies usually preferred domestic manufacturers.
Overall, helicopters of this family were acquired by civilian and military operators in more than 40 countries, including Argentina, Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Kuwait, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, France, Chile, Sweden, and Japan. The Dauphin’s applications have been diverse, ranging from VIP and cargo transport to maritime search-and-rescue missions and firefighting. They also participated in combat operations, such as the Gulf War of 1990–1991.