Airbus Helicopters AS365N3+ Dauphin

The Airbus Helicopter, previously Eurocopter, AS365 Dauphin is a medium twin-engine helicopter equipped with an enclosed Fenestron tail rotor which is beneficial for operating in confined spaces. Originally marketed as the Dauphin 2 and developed from the first single-engine Dauphin, this larger helicopter first flew in 1975. The Dauphin holds a number of speed records including the helicopter travel time from Paris to London. The Dauphin has proved popular with multiple militaries and government agencies all over the world.

The Lithuanian Air Force is responsible for all regional military aviation within this Baltic nation with their fleet of aircraft all being home based at Šiauliai Air Base which also hosts the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Air Policing mission for the region. Following Lithuania joining NATO in 2004, the nation has embarked on a modernisation program for its military and in 2013 this included the acquisition of the AS365 N3+ Dauphins for use primarily in the search and rescue (SAR) role. All three of these helicopters were delivered to the Sraigtasparniu Eskadrilé (Helicopter Flight) and declared operational by January 2016. Whilst based at Šiauliai, the Dauphins are also regularly detached to Nemirseta and Kaunas-Aleksotas to provide SAR cover for these areas.

The Lithuanian Air Force has been a strong supporter of the Air Tattoo in recent years and will once again appear at RIAT25, taking part in our “Eyes in the Skies” theme with a single AS365 N3+ Dauphin appearing on static display.

Photo Credit: Paul Fiddian

On display

Role	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Static	Not decided	Yes	Yes