AS.565SA Panther

Mathll · June 16, 2025, 2:59pm

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

Yes
No

0 voters

Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.

Today, I’m introducing you to the latest version of the Panther helicopter used by the French Navy, the AS.565SA Panther, or Panther Standard 2.

The Panther helicopter, a military derivative of the AS365 Dauphin, is a multi-role aircraft developed by the French company Aérospatiale in the 1980s, before being integrated into the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) range. The Dauphin’s first flight dates back to 1975, but the militarized version—the Panther—was designed to meet the needs of the armed forces, particularly for naval missions. It made its first flight in 1984 and was quickly adopted by several navies around the world, including the French Navy. The Panther is distinguished by its robustness, its performance in a maritime environment, and its ability to be embarked on ships thanks to its reinforced landing gear and folding rotor. Its development is part of a logic of modernization of fleets of light military helicopters in the 1980s and 1990s, with a desire to have an aircraft capable of carrying out surveillance, light combat and sea rescue missions. Its success is due to its versatility and reliability, which made it a valuable asset for French naval air operations for several decades.

In the French Army, the Panther helicopter is primarily used by the French Navy. Entering service in the 1990s, the Panther is a multi-role helicopter embarked on frigates and other surface vessels. It is used for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (in some versions), as well as for rescue operations, medical evacuation, and support for special forces. With its high maneuverability and good range, the Panther is capable of operating in difficult weather conditions and intervening quickly at sea. It has been engaged in numerous external operations and sovereignty missions, particularly in maritime areas of strategic interest such as the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Mediterranean.

The AS565SA Panther is a specific version of the Panther designed for military needs, particularly in its naval configuration. The AS565SA was developed by Aérospatiale and then integrated into the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) range to provide a solution adapted to tactical and ship-borne missions. Making its first flights in the 1980s, the AS565SA was designed from the outset as a modular and robust platform capable of operating from combat vessels. It is equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems for maritime operations, as well as an onboard radar in some versions.

With its reinforced structure, its high maneuverability in a maritime environment, and its ability to fly in adverse conditions, the AS565SA represented a significant advancement for French naval aviation at the end of the 20th century. Although still in service, it is being replaced by the H160M Guépard, as part of the HIL (Light Joint Helicopter) program, which aims to modernize and unify the French armed forces’ light helicopter fleets.

The French Navy Panthers are all deployed with Unit 36F

Characteristics

Length : 13,68m
Width : 11.94m
Height : 4m
Weight :
- Min : 2850kg
- Max : 4250kg

The aircraft is powered by two Turbomeca Ariel 1 MN turbines, each producing 770 hp, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of 180 knots, allowing it to cover a maximum distance of 480 nautical miles in just over 4 hours. The maximum altitude achievable is 20,000 feet.

Les hélicoptères de l'aéronautique navale

Equipment

Omera ORB-32 radar (aslo called Heracles II)
This air-sea search radar installed in the nose of the aircraft allows the search for ships in front of the helicopter
Agiron 15 radar
This additional tracking radar (installation of the radar under the nose of the aircraft) allows target designation for the various anti-ship missiles, the use of the AS-15TT requires this radar
Euroflir 410 FLIR
The Euroflir 410 developed by Safran is an optronic ball allowing 360° observation in the TV, NIR, SWIR, and MWIR bands. This FLIR is installed on many European military aircraft. The installation of this system takes the place of the aircraft’s port weapons hardpoint.
Protection system
The protection system used on this version of the Panther is the one used by the French Army’s Tiger Helicopters. The system includes a RWR (TWE V2), a LWS (EADS LSU) as well as a MAW (EADS) and a countermeasure launcher (MBDA ELIPS-HC).

Weapons

The Panther has two hardpoints allowing it to carry various weapons, these hardpoints are located on each side of the hull (similar to previous versions of the aircraft). Carrying the Euroflir 410 designation pod requires an entire hardpoint, which drastically reduces the amount of transportable weapons.

AS-15TT anti ship missile

Spoiler

This 2.3 meter long missile is an anti-ship missile that can be equipped with 4 units (2 on each side of the aircraft). Capable of reaching a maximum range of 16 km, this missile can engage targets at short distances. This missile is radio guided, with the information from the Agrion 15 radar. The AS-15TT is an improvement of the AS-11 and AS-12 missiles already well known to French aircraft.

MBDA ANL anti ship missile

Spoiler

The ANL (known as SEA VENOM to British aircraft) is a missile developed by MBDA as the successor to the AS15-TT for the French and British armies. It is infrared-guided and capable of reaching a range of 20 km, representing a significant improvement over its predecessor.

Apart from these two modern missiles, the aircraft remains capable of carrying the armament of its previous versions, which allows it to be transported under each of its hardpoints.