In its Coast Guard red and white, one of the commonest coastal helicopters. The tall, large tail fin encloses "fenestron" tail rotor, fully retractable gear, end-plated horizontal stabilizer forward of tail fan-rotor. Civilian versions show various window designs, but the tail end is diagnostic.

Like other Aerospatiale craft, about 40 percent of the value is added in the Texas assembly plant, but it still took a wonderful design to make this the first foreign helicopter to win a U.S. government competition. In addition to Coast Guard short-range short-based rescue, Dauphin/Dolphins are carried on icebreakers and cutters. Executive versions take advantage of the large cabin to build a sound cocoon that depresses ambient noise to a level equivalent to highway noise inside a luxury sedan.