Product Details

The HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable, Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). It is a variant of the French-built Eurocopter Dauphin. The SA 366 G1 Dauphin version was selected by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in the early 1980s as its new short range recovery (SRR) air-sea rescue helicopter and given the designation HH-65A Dolphin. In total 99 helicopters, optimised for the USCG's search and rescue role tasks, were acquired. In 2002 there were 94 Dolphins in use by the USCG. It replaced the Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard. The HH-65 Dolphin is used for homeland security patrols, cargo, drug interdiction, ice breaking, military readiness, pollution control, and search and rescue missions. The HH-65 is known for its Fenestron tail rotor and its autopilot capabilities, which can complete an unaided approach to the water and bring the aircraft into a stable 50 ft hover, or automatically fly search patterns, an ability which allows the crew to engage in other tasks.

In order to comply with U.S. regulations relating to local content (based primarily on the value of individual components of the aircraft), engineering changes were required - notably, the original engines were replaced with Allied-Signal LTS-101-750B-2 power plants. Unfortunately, continued problems developed with this engine, resulting in several in-flight loss-of-power events. The USCG therefore decided that it would replace the Allied-Signal engines with Arriel 2C2 units by Turbomeca. This upgrade began in 2004, and has resulted in a safer and more capable aircraft. These modified HH-65As have been designated as HH-65Cs.