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Eurocopter Cougar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| EC 725 Cougar | |
|---|---|
 |
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| AS 532 Cougar | |
| Type | Medium utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter |
| Developed from | Aérospatiale Puma |
The Eurocopter Cougar is a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter.
The Cougar is a further development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale Puma in its militarized form. (Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter Super Puma.)
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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 1330kW 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 Comorant.
The current variants of the Cougar are:
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 25 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 machine-guns.
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 the following tasks:
- 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.
- Sea patrols.
For deck landing, this variant can be fitted with a harpoon for quick securing.
French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.
The EC725 is a long-range helicopter, powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines, that accommodates 2 crew members up to 29 troops.
Improvements on the EC725 in comparison with earlier models include modular design of the mechanical assemblies, use of composite materials, state of the art avionics, and a Vehicle Monitoring System.
Note: When Aérospatiale became part of Eurocopter, the following new designations were added:
- EC 225: Super Puma (civilian versions).
- EC 725: Cougar (military versions).
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia , South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Zaire.
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