The HH-65C's were essentially A and B production models fitted with twin the French-made Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshaft engines of 934 shaft horsepower each. These powerplants were already proven components of the Eurocopter EC155 series and marked an improvement in both efficiency and reliability over the original set of American-made Lycoming (now Honeywell) LTS101-750B-2 turboshafts. Other changes to this model included new gearboxes for main rotor and tail, an 11-blade Fenestron tail rotor, an increase to its MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) and a lengthened nose of new equipment. The first post-conversion C-models were made available in late 2004. A- and B-model Dolphins were retrofitted with the new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG turboshafts and brought up to C-model standard, taking on the designation of HH-65C as well.
The MH-65C is a derivative of the HH-61C with an improved transmission, digital autopilot, revised avionics, increase fuel capacity, increased MTOW and a new 10-bladed tail rotor featuring noise reduction. The MH-65C has been used by the US Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) "Force from Above" armed helicopters. Based out of Jacksonville and operating with the Department of Homeland Security, these Dolphins are armed aircraft charged with conducting "Airborne Use of Force" sorties in high drug trafficking areas as well as to counter general security threats in American waters. To compliment this new-found role, the MH-65C's utilized by HITRON field a 7.62mm M240B general purpose machine gun and a 12.7mm Barrett M107CQ anti-materiel rifle. HITRON Dolphins are also used to guide their accompanying "Over The Horizon Cutter Boats" (OTHCB) to the scene of a given crime for possible interception and/or apprehension. MH-65C "HITRON" Dolphins began operations in 2008.
Other Dolphin mission parameters include working in conjunction with icebreakers, environmental management and special passenger transport.
As of this writing, the United States Coast Guard is the sole operator of the HH-65 Dolphin series. HH-65's are stationed in Alabama, New Jersey, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, California, Alaska, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Michigan and Florida covering some 17 total cities within these states. The HH-65 Dolphin is one of the few American operational helicopters to make use of the French-designed Fenestron shrouded tail rotors. This shrouded style of tail rotor is proven to provide better stability when encountering crosswinds while using less power when in a hover. On the other hand, Fenestron tail rotors have proven expensive and heavier than traditional open-mounts while at the same time using more fuel.
Due to its high use of composite materials throughout its construction, the HH-65 sometimes takes on the nicknames of "Tupperwolf" or "Plastic Puppy".
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