The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter is a development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale Puma in its militarized form.
Developing nation: France.
Manufacturer/designer: Eurocopter.
Production line: Marseille-Marignan.
Type aircraft: twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter.
First flight: 13 September 1978.
State: in service.
Primary users: French Air Force.
The AS 332 Super Puma is primary used by civil operators for offshore passenger and material transportation to oil- & gas rigs. Helicopters in military duty are designated AS 532 Cougar. The Cougar helicopter is capable of performing troops transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, airlift, and fire support missions. The Cougar is in service with 28 air forces, eight armies and five navies. 64 are operational with the French Army.
Variants
- AS532 UL/AL – is the long version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. 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 naval version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines.
- AS535 – French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or RESCO in French) version.
Operators
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Albania -Albanian Air Force 5 AS 532 AL on order
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Argentina
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Bolivia
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Brazil – Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Air Force.
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Bulgaria -Bulgarian Air Force – All 8 AS 532 AL
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Cambodia
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Chile – Chilean Navy 5 AS-332F1 Super-Puma modified and called “SH-32 Cougar” ASW/ASuW. Can carry 2 AM-39 Exocet or 2 Mk-46 Light Torpedoes. -Chilean Army 8 AS-532L .
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China
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Ecuador – 5 delivered to the Ecuadorian Army Aviation
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France – French Air Force
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Gabon
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Germany – German Air Force 3 AS 532 providing Government Flight Service by the Federal Ministry of Defence for parliamentary purposes and VIP transport.
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Greece
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Indonesia
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Japan
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Jordan
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Kuwait
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Morocco
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Malaysia
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Nepal
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Netherlands -The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates AS-532U2 (Mk2) helicopters
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Nigeria
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Northern Cyprus – Northern Cyprus’ army operates both search/rescue version and ambulance version
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Oman
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Panama
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Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
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Singapore – Republic of Singapore Air Force 12 AS 532UL helicopters.
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Slovenia – Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence
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South Korea – Republic of Korea Air Force
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland – Swiss Air Force 12 Cougars.
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Thailand
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Togo
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Turkey – Licenced production of 48 units in TAI.
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United Arab Emirates
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Venezuela
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Mexico
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 – Centrisep multipurpose air intakes are provided for operations in high-dust / particulate or desert conditions.
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)
Weapons
The aircraft is equipped with two outboard 20mm cannons, pod-mounted rockets and two 12.7mm machine guns.
Countermeasures
The search-and-rescue helicopter is fitted with a radar warner and a missile launch warning system. The helicopter also has radar and infrared jammers and a chaff and flare decoy system.
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar.
