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H125M / AS550 Fennec vs MD-500

Aérospatiale H125M / AS550 Fennec military helicopters side profile drawing
🇫🇷 H125M / AS550 Fennec
Hughes MD-500 military helicopters side profile drawing
🇺🇸 MD-500
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Specifications
H125M / AS550 Fennec MD-500
Origin country 🇫🇷 France 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Helicopters Military Helicopters
Manufacturer Aérospatiale Hughes
First flight 27 June 1974 28 January 1982
Year introduced 1990 1967
Number produced 531 units 4700 units
Average unit price $5 million $4 million
Wingspan 12.9 m 8.3 m
Height 3.1 m 2.6 m
Length 10.9 m 9.4 m
Maximum speed 260 km/h 282 km/h
Operational range 720 km 430 km
Service ceiling 4,600 m 4,877 m
Max. takeoff weight 2,250 kg 1,361 kg
Empty weight 1,174 kg 672 kg
Total thrust 1 x 632 kW 1 x 313 kW
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The H125M / AS550 Fennec and the MD-500 are both Military Helicopters, manufactured by Aérospatiale and Hughes respectively.

Top speed is 260 km/h for the H125M / AS550 Fennec vs 282 km/h for the MD-500. The H125M / AS550 Fennec has an operational range of 720 km vs 430 km for the MD-500. The MD-500 operates at altitudes up to 4,877 m compared to 4,600 m for the H125M / AS550 Fennec.

The H125M / AS550 Fennec has been produced in 531 units vs 4,700 for the MD-500. Unit cost is $5M for the H125M / AS550 Fennec vs $4M for the MD-500. The H125M / AS550 Fennec first flew 8 years before the MD-500 (1974 vs 1982).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The MD-500 is faster with a maximum speed of 282 km/h compared to the H125M / AS550 Fennec's 260 km/h, a difference of 22 km/h.
Which has longer range, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The H125M / AS550 Fennec has a longer range at 720 km compared to the MD-500's 430 km.
Which can fly higher, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The MD-500 has a higher service ceiling at 4,877 meters (16,000 ft) compared to the H125M / AS550 Fennec's 4,600 meters (15,091 ft).
Which is heavier, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The H125M / AS550 Fennec has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 2,250 kg compared to the MD-500's 1,361 kg.
Which is larger, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The H125M / AS550 Fennec is longer at 10.9 meters compared to the MD-500's 9.4 meters.
Which is more expensive, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The H125M / AS550 Fennec is more expensive at approximately $5.0 million per unit compared to the MD-500 at $4.0 million.
Which entered service first, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The MD-500 entered service first in 1967, 23 years before the H125M / AS550 Fennec which entered service in 1990.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the H125M / AS550 Fennec or MD-500?
The MD-500 has been produced in greater numbers with 4,700 units compared to 531 units of the H125M / AS550 Fennec.