The Airbus Helicopters H125 (previously the Eurocopter AS350) Écureuil, or Squirrel, is a single-engine light utility helicopter designed and originally manufactured by the French corporation Aérospatiale, later by Eurocopter, which became Airbus Helicopters. In North America, the H125 is marketed as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar.
The Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe and is considered by the manufacturer to be part of the Écureuil single-engine family.Fabre, François et al., "Final Report: Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil/Single Engine Family, Revision 4. ", European Aviation Safety Agency, 8 June 2012.
Development In the early 1970s, Aérospatiale initiated a development program to produce a replacement for the aging Aérospatiale Alouette II. While the Aérospatiale Gazelle, which had been developed in the 1960s and 1970s, had been met with numerous orders by military customers, commercial sales of the type had been less than anticipated, thus the need for a civil-oriented development was identified.
The development of the new rotorcraft, which was headed by Chief Engineer René Mouille, was focused on the production of an economic and cost-effective aerial vehicle, thus both Aérospatiale's Production and Procurement departments were heavily involved in the design process. One such measure was the use of a rolled sheet structure, a manufacturing technique adapted from the automotive industry; another innovation was the newly developed Starflex main rotor. It was also decided that both civil and military variants of the emergent helicopter would be developed to conform with established military requirements."1974: AS350/355 Ecureuil/AStar- AS550/555 Fennec – EC130." Eurocopter, Retrieved: 25 December 2015.
On 27 June 1974, the first prototype, an AS350C powered by a Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, conducted its maiden flight at Marignane, France; the second prototype, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1A, following on 14 February 1975.Jackson 2003, p. 244. The Arriel-powered version, the AS350B, intended for sale throughout the world except for North America, was certified in France on 27 October 1977, while the Lycoming powered AS350C (or AStar) was certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration on 21 December 1977. In March 1978, deliveries to customers began for the AS350B, deliveries of the AS350C began in April 1978.Taylor 1982, p. 56.
Over time, the AS350 Écureuil/AStar has received further development; while the aircraft's design remains broadly similar, aspects such as the rotor system, powerplants, and avionics have been progressively improved. On 6 February 1987, a prototype AS350 flew with a fenestron tail-rotor in the place of its conventional counterpart. On 1 March 1997, the first AS350 B3, equipped with an Arriel 2B engine, performed its first flight.
Conversion programs and addons for AS350s have been produced and are offered by third-party 'aftermarket' aerospace firms in addition to those available directly from the type's prime manufacturer. Variants of the Arriel-powered AS350B, AS350 BA, AS350 B1, AS350 B2, and AS350 B3, were progressively introduced; the later B3 differing from preceding models by the increasing use of digital systems, such as the Garmin-built G500H avionics suite and full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system.Lombardi, Frank. "AStar Evolution. ", Aviation Today, 12 May 2015.
Prior to 2013, the type had been manufactured principally at Eurocopter's Marignane facility, near Marseille, France; Eurocopter opted to, as part of a move to disperse its helicopter production activities, begin AS350 production and final assembly activities at its factory in Columbus, Mississippi, for deliveries to U.S. commercial helicopter market. The Astar has been Eurocopter's biggest-selling product in the US commercial market, at one point selling roughly one AS350 every business day.Osborne, Tony. "French Unions Dislike Eurocopter's U.S. AS350 Plan. ", Aviation Week, 30 September 2013."Eurocopter to assemble AS350 aircraft in Mississippi. ", United Press International, 23 September 2013. In March 2015, the first Columbus-assembled AS350 B3e received its FAA certification."First US-made Airbus Helicopters AS350 certified. ", Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, 3 March 2015. In December 2015, Airbus Helicopters reported their intention to double the rate of AS350 production at Columbus in 2016 over the previous year, and that the facility is capable of producing up to 65 AS350s per year.Forrest, Ben. "Airbus aims to ramp up H125 production in Mississippi." Vertical Magazine, 22 December 2015.
Indian assembly line On 26 January 2024, while the French president, Emmanuel Macron, was in India as the chief guest of the Republic Day parade, Airbus Helicopters announced its partnership with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India for helicopter production. The FAL would deliver the H125 for civilian markets in India and South Asia. The facility would be set up by the Tata Advanced Systems along with Airbus within 24 months with the first Made in India helicopter, with EASA-certified quality assurance, expected to be produced in 2026. The facility's location was yet to be decided by the companies. Ten helicopters will be assembled each year, potentially increasing to 20, 30, or 50 in the future. As of July 2024, 500 units are expected to be produced in 20 years. The H125 base variant produced in India, will cost above Euro 3.2 million.
On 23 July 2024, TASL and Airbus signed the deal for production. The H125's engine and gearbox will come from France, the main airframe from Germany, and the tail boom from Spain. The component assemblies to be done in India include avionics and mission systems, flight controls, hydraulic circuits, fuel system and the engine.
As of July 2024, Airbus identified 8 locations to become potential sites for the FAL, which was shortlisted to four by January 2025. The sites were located in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In May, it was decided the new site will be erected in the Vemagal Industrial Area of Kolar, Karnataka. This would be the fourth such assembly line for the helicopter in the world. The first helicopter is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
On 26 February 2025, the Indian Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, visited the Airbus facility in France where he was demonstrated the military capabilities of the helicopter. On 28 August, Airbus Helicopters signed a contract with Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. (MAPL) as part of which MAPL will supply the main fuselage of the H125 helicopter. The manufacturing is expected to begin immediately at MAPL's existing plant in Bengaluru with the first unit scheduled to be delivered in 2027.
The H125 is reportedly one of the frontrunner in the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) tender launched in August 2026.
On 17 February 2026, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, virtually inaugurated the Final Assembly Line at Vemegal from Mumbai. The investment in the programme will likely exceed .
Design The AS350 is a single engine helicopter, powered either by a Lycoming LTS101 or Turbomeca Arriel powerplant that drives a three-blade main rotor, which is furnished with a Starflex rotor head. The type is known for its high-altitude performance and has seen use by operators in such environments. Both the main and tail rotors make use of composite material and are designed to minimize corrosion and maintenance requirements.
The AS350 was also developed to comply with the noise requirements in place in locations such as national parks; the in-cabin noise levels are such that passengers may also readily converse during flight. The aircraft can also be quickly started up and shut down, which is often useful during emergency medical services roles. It is equipped with hydraulically-assisted flight controls; these controls remain operational, albeit operated with greater physical effort, in the event of a hydraulic failure."AS350: Hydraulics Out? Fly the Procedure. ", Rotor & Wing, 1 June 2007.
Much of the AS350's avionics are provided by Garmin, such as the GI 106A course-deviation indicator, GNS 430 VHF/VOR/localizer/glideslope indicator/Global Positioning System receiver, GTX 327 Mode A and C transponder, and GMA 340H intercom.Stephens, Ernie, and James T. McKenna. "The AS350 — Versatility and Power. ", Rotor & Wing, 1 June 2007. The Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) and the First Limit Indicator (FLI) both serve to increase the aircraft's safety during flight, reducing the number of gauges that need to be monitored by the pilot and thereby reducing their workload. For increased smoothness in flight, which positively affects passenger comfort as well as safety, stability augmentation systems can be installed. Later-production aircraft feature new avionics and systems such as the integration of an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and autopilot, a glass cockpit featuring three liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) and digital avionics, such as the synthetic-vision terrain mapping system and Airbus's Multibloc center console upon which radios may be mounted."Eurocopter's Helibras Subsidiary to Modernize 36 AS350 Ecureuil Helicopters Operated by the Brazilian Army Aviation Command. ", Helicopter Maintenance Magazine, 1 February 2011.
The AS350 has proven popular in a range of roles; multiple cabin configurations can be used, between four and six passengers in a typical seating configuration, and large sliding doors can be fitted to either side of the cabin. In some operators' fleets, the furnishings of the cabin has been designed to enable the internal space and/or equipment fit-out to be rapidly reconfigured to enable aircraft to be switched between roles.
Public service operators, such as those in law enforcement, often have forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and other mission systems installed on their aircraft. Other optional equipment on offer to operates had included real-time data links, rescue hoists, underslung cargo hooks, electrical external mirrors, search lights, tactical consoles, night vision goggle-compatibility, moving-map system, internal cabin tie-downs, second battery kit, sand filters, wire strike protection system, 4-channel radio, tail rotor arch, cabin floor windows, and removable seats."Civil: H125." Airbus Helicopters, 2015.
Modern aircraft have refinements beyond those featuring on older models; these changes include dual-channel FADEC-equipped engines, increasing use of digital avionics in the cockpit, decreased maintenance costs, a re-designed cabin, and a comfortable Stylence interior (optional). Older aircraft often undergo refurbishment programs to install aftermarket features, or for the addition of functionality common to newer production aircraft, such as retrofitting of the glass cockpit.
Operational history