AS 532 Cougar
9 Multi-role 9 First Gulf War veteran 9 Operated worldwide
In January 1990. Aerospatiale changed the name of its military Super Puma variants to Cougar. Now built by Eurocopter, this range of big, powerful machines includos tactical transports, Exocet-armed naval helicopters and a specialized combat search and rescue aircraft. Armed versions of the land-based models can carry guns and rocket pods, while the prototype of a specialised battlefield surveillance model proved highly successful during the First Gulf War.
A Over the horizon
After a period of troubled development and budget cut-backs, a single AS 532 with Orchiddo radar flow 24 missions during the Gulf War. An improved AS 532UUHohzon combination is now entenng service with the French army.
A Rapid-reaction Cougar
Equipped with infrared-suppressing exhaust shrouds, this Cougar flies as part of the French army’s rapid-reaction force. It was delivered by Adrospahalo as an SA 332M1 Super Puma and is now regarded as an AS S32UL Cougar.
A Naval attack
For the anti-submanno warfare (ASW) and anti-surface vessel (ASV) roles. Eurocopter offers tt* AS 532SC Cougar. In the ASV role, the aircraft carries two AM3S Exocot missiles with a reported range of 4&-64 km (30-40 milesj
Y Submarine killer
Thomson-CSF Varan located in the nose radon* combines with an Alcatel/Thomson Sintra HS 312 dipping sonar in the roar fuselage to mako the AS 532SC a formidable ASW helicopter.
FACTS AND FIGURES
► By 1 January, 1995, 42 countries had ordered Super Pumas/Cougors. two-thirds of them military.
► Fivo of Abu Dhabi’s VIP aircraft have been given Exocet capability.
>• Turkey ordered 20 AS 532U2 Cougars at a cost of US$253 million.
> Aerospatiale based the Super Puma on tho highly successful SA 330 Puma, incorporating much new technology.
► Tho AS 532‘s gearbox will operate for one hour after all oil has boon lost.
>■ In South Africa, Atlas used many AS 532 components in its Oryx helicopter.
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Eurocopter