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Eurocopter AS532 Cougar

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AS 532 Cougar
File:Bulgarian cougar.jpg
Eurocopter AS 532 AL of the Bulgarian Air Force
Role Medium Utility Helicopter
Manufacturer Eurocopter and Turkish Aerospace Industries (Under Licence) [1]
First flight September 1977
Developed from Eurocopter AS332
Variants Eurocopter EC 725

The Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter. The AS 532 is a further development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale Puma in its militarized form. (Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma.) The AS 532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC 725.

Design and development

The AS 332 Super Puma, designed as a growth version to replace the SA 330 Puma, first flew in September 1977. It was fitted with two 1330 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[2].

Variants

Chilean Navy Cougar - UNITAS 47-06
AS 532 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.
AS 532 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.
AS 535
French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.

Operators

The Turkish Military (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) uses several Cougars as a combat search and rescue helicopter.
AS-532 of Brazilian Navy.
Eurocopter Cougar of Slovenian Army.
Eurocopter Cougar of French Air Force.
 Albania
 Argentina
 Bolivia
 Brazil
  • The AS 532 is licenced built by Helibras factory in Brazil.[3][4] The Brazilian Armed forces will use the Super Cougar with the Brazilian licenced version of EC-725[5].
 Bulgaria
  • Bulgarian Air Force - All 8 AS 532 AL tactical transport helicopters now delivered and in service with the Bulgarian Air Force and additional 4 in CSAR-configuration to be delivered by the end of 2009. [6]
 Cambodia
 Chile
 China
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Ecuador
 France
 Gabon
 Germany
  • German Air Force 3 AS 532 providing Government Flight Service by the Federal Ministry of Defence for parliamentary purposes and VIP transport.
 Greece
 Indonesia
 Japan
 Jordan
 Kuwait
 Morocco
 Malaysia
 Nepal
 Netherlands
  • The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates AS-532U2 (Mk2) helicopters, which are an upgrade to the AS-532UL (expanded version). As of 2009, the 17 helicopters of 300 Squadron of the RNLAF will undergo a mid-life update.
 Nigeria
 Oman
 Panama
 Philippines
Philippine Air Force
 Qatar
 Saudi Arabia
 Singapore
Republic of Singapore Air Force
  • 126 SQN operates 12 AS 532UL helicopters.
 Slovenia
 South Korea
 Spain
 Sweden
 Switzerland
  • 12 Cougar.
 Thailand
 Togo
 Turkey

Licenced production of 48 units in TAI.

 United Arab Emirates
 Venezuela

Specifications (AS 532 UB)

An Ecuadorian AS 532 Cougar.

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 20 troops

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ http://www.tai.com.tr/prog.aspx?contentDefID=29&page=___Programs__NONE_____INTEGRATED HELICOPTER SYSTEMS__PROGRAM__2___COMPLETED PROGRAMS__NONE_____COUGAR AS-532__PROGRAM__29
  2. ^ Canadian Air Force - CH-149 Cormorant Purhcase and operation details
  3. ^ http://www.helibras.com.br/detProdutos.asp?codProduto=46&linha=M&area=D
  4. ^ http://www.tecnodefesa.com.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90:comemoracao-dos-30-anos-da-helibras-lanca-projeto-de-producao-do-super-cougar-no-brasil&catid=36:materias&Itemid=54
  5. ^ Farias, Ivy (September 8, 2008). "Brasil produzirá em Minas Gerais helicópteros para as Forças Armadas". Agência Brasil. Retrieved on July 11, 2009.
  6. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter Delivers 1st Cougar Helicopter To Bulgaria
  7. ^ Taylor, M J H (editor) (1999). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. Brassey's. ISBN 1 85753 245 7. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
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