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 Super Puma.) The AS 532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC 725.
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 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 Cormorant.
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 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 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 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.
AS 535
French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.
EC 725
The EC 725 is a long-range helicopter, powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines, that accommodates 2 crew members up to 29 troops.
Improvements of the EC 725 in comparison to earlier models include modular design of the mechanical assemblies, use of composite materials, state of the art avionics, and a Vehicle Monitoring System.
Military operators
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil - Some Super Puma, already in service and to be dropped until 2014. At least 50 Super Cougar to be built in Brazil and be delivered between 2010 and 2014
- Bulgaria - 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 between until 2009.
- Cambodia
- Chile
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ecuador
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Greece
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Morocco
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Panama
- Philippines - Used by the Presidential Airlift Wing in the 80s and early 90s. These have since been taken out of service.
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore - Republic of Singapore Air Force (126 SQN operates 12 AS 532UL helicopters)
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Venezuela
Specifications (AS 532 UB)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 20 troops
- Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11½ in)
- Rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
- Height: 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in)
- Disc area: 206 m² (2,217ft²)
- Empty weight: 4,350 kg (9,590 lb)
- Useful load: 4,650 kg (10,250 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,000 kg (19,840 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft, 1,185 kW (1,589 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (150 knots, 173 mph)
- Maximum speed: 249 km/h (134 knots, 154 mph)
- Cruise speed: 239 km/h (129 knots, 148 mph)
- Range: 573 km (310 nm, 357 mi)
- Service ceiling 3,450 m (11,319 ft)
- Rate of climb: 7.2 m/s (1,417 ft/min)
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