AS 565 Duaphin/Panther

The series of helicopters built around the twin-engine AS 365 Dauphin design include civilian transports, naval utility and dedicated gunship helicopters and are in use within Navies, Coast Guards and Armies around the globe.

French Dauphin maritime utility helicopter.

China builds a clone of the Dauphin, known as the Harbin Z-9 which is flown as an anti-submarine helicopter.

AS 565 Panther

Primarily a Naval helicopter, but also in use with several Armies, the Panther can be fitted with a range of equipment and weapons to suite its role. One of the key design features of the Panther is survivability, with crash-resistant seats and fuel system. The enclosed 'fenestron' tail rotor helps with stability when operating against cross-winds - a real advantage when operating from ships.

AS 565 Panther Variants

The AS 565 UA/UB is a transport and utility version, usually unarmed and able to carry up to 10 fully-equipped troops.

The AS 565 MA/MB is the maritime variant, featuring the 'Harpoon' device which enables deck landings regardless of wind direction. Radio-guided AS.15 anti-ship missiles, Exocet sea-skimming missiles and a selection of sonar-homing torpedoes give the naval Panther its teeth.

AS 565 CA Panthers are the Army gunship variant, armed with GIAT 20mm gun pods, HOT wire-guided anti-tank missiles, Mistral air-to-air missiles or 68mm rockets. Countries that fly the Panther as a gunship include Brazil.

AS 565 Panther Specifications

Crew	Pilot, Co-pilot
Engines	2xTurbomeca Arriel 1A1 780hp Turboshaft engines
Dimensions	L - 13.68m W (rotor diameter) - 11.94m H - 3.52m
Weights	2,193 kg (empty) 4,250 kg (max loadout)
Max Speed	296 kph
Range	875 km
Armament	Naval versions: AS.15 air-to-ground missiles Exocet anti-ship missiles anti-submarine torpedoes Army versions: GIAT 20mm cannon pods HOT anti-tank missiles Mistral air-to-air missiles 68mm unguided rockets Red Arrow wire-guided missiles (Chinese Z-9)
Avionics	Full Authority Digital Engine Control Variants include: Radar Forward Looking InfraRed Radar Warning Receiver

The Chinese-built Panther clone, the Z-9, includes variants capable of carrying Red Arrow wire-guided anti-tank missile or these anti-submarine torpedoes.

AS 565 PANTHER FEATURES

retractable landing gear
4-bladed folding main rotors
hydraulically powered dual controls
fenestron shrouded tail rotor
crash-resistant seats

A French Navy Panther lands on a United States Navy ship.

Official U.S. Navy Photo by Quarter Master 1st Class (SW) David J. Conrad.