Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2
Type of aircraft / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
AS355 Écureuil 2/Twin Squirrel/TwinStar | |
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A AS355 departs Toulouse–Blagnac Airport. | |
Role | Light utility helicopter |
National origin | France |
Manufacturer | Aérospatiale Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters DaimlerChrysler Aerospace |
First flight | 28 September 1979 |
Status | In service |
Produced | 1975–2016 |
Developed from | Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil |
Developed into | Eurocopter AS555 Fennec 2 |
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. In 2016, shortly after Eurocopter's rebranding as Airbus Helicopters, the group ended production of the Écureuil 2.