Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


Eurocopter AS532 of the French Army
Role	Medium utility military helicopter
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters
First flight	September 1977
Introduction	1978
Status	In service
Primary users	French Air Force Bulgarian Air Force Turkish Air Force Royal Netherlands Air Force Romanian Naval Forces
Produced	1977–present
Developed from	Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
Variants	Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
Developed into	Eurocopter EC725

The AS332 Super Puma, designed as a growth version to replace the SA 330 Puma, first flew in September 1977. It was fitted with two 1,330 kW Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, composite rotor blades, improved landing gear and a modified tailfin. In 1990 all military Super Puma designations were changed from "AS 332" to "AS 532 Cougar" to distinguish between the civil and military variants of the helicopter. Canada had considered purchasing the Cougar to replace their CH-113 Labrador, but opted in the end to purchase the CH-149 Cormorant. In 2012 France began a €288.8m project (€11.1m/unit) to upgrade 23 Army Cougars and 3 for the Air Force to address obsolescence issues and to deliver similar avionics to their EC225 and EC725 helicopters.

Design

TThe Eurocopter AS532 Cougar (now Airbus Helicopters H215M) is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter developed by Eurocopter. The AS532 is a development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma in its militarized form. Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma (Later called the Airbus Helicopters H215, note the lack of M suffix). The AS532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC725.

Variants

AS532 UL/AL: The AS 532 UL/AL is the long version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. It carries a crew of 2 and up to 29 troops or 6 injured passengers on stretchers plus 10 others. As with the other versions of the Cougar, the AS 532 UL/AL can lift 4.5 tons by means of a sling. The Horizon battlefield ground surveillance system can be installed on the AS 532 UL (utility version). The AS 532 AL (armed version) can also be fitted with a variety of weapons, including pod-mounted 20 mm cannons, 68 mm rocket-launchers, and side-mounted rapid fire machine-guns.

AS532 SC: The AS 532SC is the naval version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. This version is mainly used for Anti-surface unit warfare (ASUW), fitted with AM 39 Exocet missiles; Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), fitted with a variable-depth sonar and torpedoes; Search and rescue; and Sea patrols. For deck landing, securing at high sea states, maneuver and traverse this variant can be fitted with ASIST.

AS535: It was variant offered to cover the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) needs of the French Army. The military preferred to acquire the improved version of the aircraft, the Eurocopter EC725 instead to fulfill this gap

Airbus Transport

Eurocopter AS532 Cougar H215M,

now called Airbus Helicopters H125M,

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 20 troops / 4,650 kg payload
Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in)
Height: 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 4,350 kg (9,590 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 9,000 kg

Powerplants

Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, 1,357 kW (1,820 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 15.6 m )
Main rotor area: 206 m²

Specifications

Maximum speed: 249 km/h
Cruise speed: 239 km/h
Never exceed speed: 278 km/h
Range: 573 km (356 mi, 309 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,450 m
Rate of climb:(1,420 ft/min)

Links to Youtube & Others

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar.

Airbus Industries
AS532 Cougar H215M

The EC725 is based on the Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar, improving upon

Youtube Link

The EC725 was developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a specialist helicopter for Combat Search and Rescue operations.

Airbus Industries
Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar

Airbus Industries
AS532 Cougar H215M

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History Eurocopter AS532 Cougar H215M,
now called Airbus Helicopters H125M,