Eurocopter Cougar
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Cougar_heli_ag1.jpg
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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History
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.
Variants
The current variants of the Cougar are:
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 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.
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 the following tasks:
- Anti-surface unit warface (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.
AS 535
French Army combat search and rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.
EC 725
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).
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