HH-65A DOLPHIN

The Coast Guard has ninety-six short-range HH65A helicopters. These twin-engine Dolphins operate up to 150 miles offshore and will fly comfortably at 150 knots for three hours.

Though normally stationed ashore, the Dolphins can be carried on board medium and high-endurance Coast Guard cutters. They assist in the missions of search and rescue, enforcement of laws and treaties including drug interdiction, polar icebreaking, marine environmental protection including pollution control, and military readiness. Helicopters stationed aboard icebreakers are the ship's eyes in finding thinner and more navigable ice channels. They fly renaissance and airlift supplies to ships and to villages isolated by winter ice.

The HH-65A's minimum equipment requirements exceed anything previously packaged into one helicopter weighing less than 10,000 pounds. HH-65As are made of corrosion resistant, composite materials. The shrouded tail rotor is unique to the Dolphin.

Also a unique feature of the Dolphin is its computerized flight management system, which integrates state-of-the-art communication and navigation equipment. This system provides automatic flight control. At the pilot's direction, the system will bring the aircraft to a stable hover 50 feet above a selected object. This is an important feature in darkness or inclement weather. Selected search patterns can be flown automatically, freeing the pilot and copilot to concentrate on sighting the search target.

"THE SPIRIT LIVES ON"

427 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-3107
(617) 223-3110 FAX