Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June, 1974. The latest version of the AS350 B3 is a member of Eurocopter's rugged and proven Ecureuil (Squirrel/AStar) range. All told, some 4,000 Ecureuils (incl. 726 twins) have flown over 17 million hours, in 91 countries, for some 1,600 operators. The B3 is the sum of that experience. With this latest version of the single-engine Ecureuil, Eurocopter offers operators more power, greater payload capacity over a broader temperature/altitude envelope, an augmented sling load capability, and higher cruise speed. The powerful Arriel 2B1 engine offers state-of-the-art technology, with single-crystal turbine blades and a single power stage, for outstanding reliability and simplified maintenance.
On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 metres (29,035 feet). This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna, Nepal at 7,100 m (23,2939 feet), one at a time, the highest such rescue.