HH-65A Dolphin Short Range Recovery Helicopter
The HH-65A Dolphin Short Range Recovery Helicopter was manufactured for the U.S. Coast Guard by Aerospatiale, with 96 HH-65As replacing the Coast Guard fleet of Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard helicopters. The HH-65A Dolphin assists the Coast Guard missions of search and rescue, enforcement of laws and treaties, as well as maritime homeland security missions. Each year, the HH-65A Dolphin was estimated by the Coast Guard to be instrumental in saving 375 lives and with assists on over two thousand drug interdiction cases.
Although the HH-65A Dolphin is not capable of water landings, and is typically stationed ashore, the HH-65A can takoff or land on Coast Guard Cutters which can refuel and support the helicopter while on patrol.
In 2003-2004 the Coast Guard experienced a high number of engine or engine control system failures with the HH-65A Dolphin, resulting in a 2004 decision to replace the original engines with the Turbomeca Arriel 2C2. The first re-engined HH-65A was delivered 7 October 2004.
HH-65C Dolphin Multi-Mission Cutter Helicopter
The HH-65C is an upgraded version of the HH-65A, redesignated as the Multi-Mission Cutter Helicopter (MCH). The HH-65 will undergo a Service Life Extension Plan (SLEP) that will yield a like-new aircraft. A total of fifty four HH-65C “Charlies” were delivered to the USCG fleet by October 2006, operating out of eleven Coast Guard airstations in the U.S.
HH-65A Dolphin Specifications and Performance
| Rotor diameter | 39 ft. 2 in. |
| Length | 44 ft. 5 in. |
| Height | 13 ft. |
| Weight | 9,200 lbs. max |
| Armament | None |
| Engine | Two 742 shp Lycoming LTS-101-750B-2 Gas Turbine |
| Maximum speed | 190 mph |
| Cruising speed | 138 mph |
| Range | 345 mi. |
| Service ceiling | 7,510 ft. |
U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin.
U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin helicopter, 15 February 1990.
HH-65A Dolphin at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica on four feet of sea ice, 18 January 1996. The HH-65A Dolphin transfers mail, cargo, and passengers in support of the National Science Foundations research program.
Hoist line from a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphin helicopter is taken by an aviation survivalman during a rescue swimmer training exercise, Kaneohe Bay, HI, 9 March 1992.
Another HH-65A Dolphin photo is found on the Olive-Drab.com page Military Entertainment: Reading Material.
