Puma (helicopter)

See also: Puma (homonymy)

SA.330 Puma is a Hélicoptère of civil and military average transport French. Conceived by Southern Aviation and developed by the Aerospace , it was built in collaboration with Westland Helicopters. With its creation in 1990 Eurocopter continued the development of it, renaming the military versions Cougar.

Origin

In 1962 the Army French published specifications for helicopter of a tactical and logistic transport of average tonnage having to replace its Sikorsky H-34. The future aircraft was to be able to fly to more than 250 km/h in cruising, to hold in hover with more than 1.500 m with full load in tropical atmosphere, and to have capacities all-time. At the same time Southern Aviation completed the construction of two S-58 remotorized with a turbine Turboméca Bi-Bastan of 1 900 ch whose first specimen took the air on October 5th, 1962. The Sikorsky S-58 was quickly abandoned with the profit of a new project indicated Alouette IV, likely to transport 12 men and motorized with two Bastan VII of 1300 ch.

In June 1963 Engineering service of Aeronautics (STAé) notified with Southern Aviation a market of 20 franc million relating to the realization of two prototypes and 5 indicated apparatuses of preproduction SA.330 Puma with turbine Turmo III, engine which equipped already the Super Frelon. The future apparatus, whose size was presented to the Paris airshow, was presented in the form of a conventional apparatus to semi-monocoque metal structure, driven by two turbines assembled to the top of the fuselage, in front of the principal rotor equipped with light alloy blades. The back beam supporting the anti-torque rotor is of monocoque construction, supporting anti-torque 5 blades on the right and a horizontal stabilizer on the left. This apparatus rested on a semi-retractable three-wheeled train composed of three twin wheels.

The first of the two prototypes accomplished its first flight the April 15th, 1965 controlled by Jean Boulet and Roland Coffignot, assisted of Andre Ricaud, flight engineer and Gerard Boutin, flight engineer. This prototype was equipped with turbines Turboméca Turmo IIIC of 1160 kw. The Royal Air Force needing also a tactical apparatus of transport, it chooses the Puma in 1967 and one Franco-British agreement of production was concluded on April 2nd, 1968 between Southern Aviation and Westland Helicopters.

697 SA.330 were built until 1987, date on which the production ceased with the profit of SA.332 Super Puma .

SA.330 Puma

  • SA.330A Puma : Five apparatuses of preproduction produced in 1967. A sixth apparatus took the air on July 30th, 1968 with a fuselage before modified which will be finally retained ensery.
  • SA.330B Puma : First version of series, which the first specimen left factory on September 12th, 1968, deliveries with the Army French beginning on May 13rd, 1969, the initial order relating to 88 apparatuses.
    • SA.330B Orchis : Prototype of monitoring of the battle field with radar ESB Orchis and embarked computing system. A prototype took the air in 1990, the French Army planning to order 20 apparatuses. This program was cancelled for budgetary reasons, then reactivated on a scale reduced in 1993 afterwards of the tests during the Guerre of the Gulf with the AS.532UL/Horizon .
  • SA.330C Puma : Military version for the export of SA.330B with turbines Turmo IVB, first flight September 1968.
  • SA.330E Puma : 48 specimens built for RAF by Westland in Hayes, which used them with designation Puma HC Mk 1 . The first specimen took the air on November 25th, 1970, the deliveries with No 33 and 230 Sqdn of RAF beginning in 1971.
  • SA.330F Puma : Helicopter of civil transport for 15 to 17 passengers derived from the SA.330C , whose prototype accomplished its first flight on September 26th, 1969. Certified in France on October 12th, 1970, deliveries initial at the end of 1970. Meanwhile Southern Aviation and North-Aviation had amalgamated to form SNIAS. First civil helicopter in the world to obtain a navigability certificate of public transport category has, SA.330F saw its maximum permissible weight to pass gradually from 6,4 to 6,7 then 7 tons. In 1976 this aircraft was finally equipped with glass fiber blades whose best output made it possible to increase the maximum mass to 7400 kg.
  • SA.330G Puma : Appeared at the end of 1973, it is a SA.330F equipped with Turmo IVC of 1575 ch with de-icing of the air intakes. Intended for the civil and military market, it is the first model to receive composite material blades.
  • SA-330H Puma : Military version of SA.330G .
  • SA-330J Puma : Civil helicopter appeared in 1976. This apparatus can transport in addition to the two pilots between 8 and 12 passengers in version VIP or 20 passengers in version high density with toilets and a compartment to luggage to the back. Equipped with a thermal de-icing of the blades of the principal rotor like the anti-torque one, new radar weather and air intakes. It is the first helicopter to be certified all-time except the USSR, on April 25th, 1978. 11 apparatuses were assembled by IPTN in Indonesia.
  • SA.330L Puma : Military version of SA.330J .
  • IAR.330L Puma : In 1977 a license of production of the Puma with turbine Turmo IV-CA of 1588 ch was granted to the Romania.
  • SA.330R Puma : Lengthened apparatus which was used for the development of the Super Puma . This aircraft which flew on September 5th, 1977 with a modified head of rotor and turbines Turboméca Malika of 1755 ch was renamed thereafter SA.331 .
  • SA.330S Puma : SA.330C modified by OGMA with the Portugal with a composite rotor and two turbines Turboméca Malika I of 1700 ch.
  • SA.330Z : Experimental aircraft equipped with a small window instead of the anti-torque one.
  • Oryx : Recasting of the Puma by Atlas Aviation in South Africa.

SA.332 Super Puma

Launched on market of state to ensure the modernization of the park of ALAT and the Royal Air Force, but also to ensure the needs export, the program Super Puma was revealed during the Paris airshow of 1975. This apparatus incorporated in a tested cell of many technological innovations developed by the Aérospatiale and the motor mechanic Turboméca: Malika turbines with specific low fuel consumption allowing to improve the passable distance, landing gear to broad way and high capacity for absorption, defrosting equipment of the rotors, resistance raised to the crash landing…. Moreover the front point was modified, the increased capacity of the tanks. The prototype accomplished its first flight the September 13rd, 1978 controlled by Jacques d' Elbreil and Etienne Herrenschmidt, assisted of Jean Marty and Gerard Boutin. In 1980 a new prototype saw its lengthened fuselage of 76 cm, with two additional side panes. The deliveries began in 1981. In 1990 the military versions were renamed by Eurocopter AS.532 Cougar.

  • AS.332B Super Puma : Version of standard tactical transport, which becomes AS.532 Cougar CPU /AC in 1990.

  • AS-332C Super Puma : Version of civil transport.
  • AS-332F Super Puma : Helicopter of fight ASM equipped with 2 Exocet missiles. AS.532 Cougar SC in 1990.
  • AS-332L Super Puma becomes : Lengthened civil version, very appreciated operators offshore oil rig, such Bristow Helicopters, which bought 34 of them. First flight on October 10th, 1980.
  • AS-332M Super Puma : Military version of tactical transport of the precedent. AS.532 Cougar EU in 1990.
becomes

Eurocopter AS.532 Cougar

In 1990 Eurocopter modifies the designation of its helicopters: the Super Puma becomes AS.532 Cougar and declines itself from now on in:
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I CPU: Initial version with short fuselage (AS.332B), utility apparatus with capacity anti-tank device.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I AC: Version armed with the precedent (side gun, guns of 20 mm in pod, container of rockets of 68 mm,…)
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I EU: tactical or logistic Transport with lengthened fuselage (AS.332M), able to transport 25 men equipped.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I UL: Similar to the precedent, convertible out of sanitary appliance (6 stretchers and 10 passengers sitted) or vector of the monitoring system of the battle field Horizon (Helicopter of Observation Radar and Investigation on Zone). This system, resulting from the program Orchis of 1990, allows a helicopter flying over the zone of combat to 4000 m to follow the movements of 4000 vehicles in a radius of 200 km thanks to a radar Thomson-CSF (Thalès) Target located under the back fuselage and a receiving station on the ground. The Army French bought 4 Cougar Mk I UL/Horizon and 2 receiving stations, which were delivered into 1997/1999.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I Al: Version armed with the precedent.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk I SC: naval Version (AS.332F) being able to ensure of the missions of attack of surface vessels de with missiles AM.39 Exocet, fight ASM with sonar and loads of depth or torpedes, or SAR.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk II U2: Appeared in 1992, it is the longest version of the family Puma/Cougar. Apparatus of tactical and logistic transport which can transport 29 homes or 12 stretchers, or 5 tons under sling. Equipped with improved a Sphériflex rotor, of anti-torque 4 blades, turbines Turboméca Malika 1A2 of 2100 ch. Equipé d' an autopilot 4 axes, this apparatus is initially intended for research and the rescue in hostile environment.
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk II A2: Version armed with the precedent (gun of 20 mm or machine-gun of 12,7 mm on side mounting).
  • AS.532 Cougar Mk II A2 RESCO: Optimized for the recovery of pilots killed in enemy zone.
  • Atlas TP-1 Oryx : South-African Version of the Super Puma whose prototype stole on May 14th, 1996. 51 specimens built (c/n 1200/1250) for the SAAF.

Production

1687 SA.330 were built by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter, including 8 prototypes. The production ceased in 1982 with the profit of the Super Puma, but continued with Brasov, in Romania.

Military and governmental users

  • South Africa: The 20 first SA.330C of SAAF were delivered in 1970 and were poured with No 19 Sqdn de Swartkop, a section (B Flight) being detached with Durban for the missionsn SAR. Will follow 47 SA.330H and SA.330L , the first being put thereafter at standard SA.330L. These apparatuses equipped No 15 Sqdn (Durban), 30 Sqdn (Ysterplaast) and 31 Sqdn (Hoedspruit). The last South-African Puma was reformed on July 15th, 1997 by No 17 Sqdn with Swartkop, the changing being ensured as from 1995 by… the Oryx . The 51 apparatuses built by Atlas are in service in 4 units: No 15 Sqdn (Durban), 17 Sqdn (Swartkop), 19 Sqdn (Hoedspruit) and 22 Sqdn (Ysterplaat).
  • Algeria: 5 SA.330 delivered to the air force.
  • Germany: Frontier guards (Bundesgrenzschutz) used a fleet of SA.330J , whose 10 specimens were resold with the Chile in 2006. On its side Luftwaffe bought 3 AS.352U2 to equip the LTS.3 ensuring with missions VIP since Berlin - Tegel.
  • Saudi Arabia: 12 AS.532A2 were delivered in 2000 to the 99 Al Kharj Sqdn for the missions SAR.
  • Argentinian: 9 SA.330L were delivered into 1978/79 to the Commando of Aviación del Ejercito and were poured with the Battalion of Aviation of Combat 601. These apparatuses took part in the operations on the Falklands in 1982. The Company has since was re-equipped with AS.332C .
  • Belgium: 3 SA.330 were delivered into 1973/74 to the Gendarmerie. 25 years later, they were replaced.
  • Bolivia: After having rented 2 AS.532AC with the Venezuela in June 2006 the Bolivian air force negotiates at the beginning of 2007 purchase of 2 identical apparatuses.
  • Brazil: Puma/Super Puma is used by the three weapons:
    • Air force: 6 SA.330 Puma, indicated CH-33 were delivered initially to the FAB. They were replaced as from 1985 by 9 AS.332M1 Super Puma , assigned to the 3°/8° GAv de Campo back Afonsos with designation CH-34, but at the beginning of 2007 Grupo de Transporte Especial of Brasilia uses a VH-34.
    • Navy: The Brazilian Navy received 5 AS.332F1 additional in September 1986 and two apparatuses in 1993. Indicated UH-14, they replaced the Westland Whirlwind.
    • Army: The Army took delivery of 8 Eurocopter AS.532U2 Cougar Mk II assembled by Hélibras during 2001. Indicated HM-3, they are used by the 4° BatAvEx Conça of Manaus, charged with supervising the Amazonian border.
  • Bulgaria: The first of 12 AS.532AL Cougar Mk I ordered by the Bulgarian air force was officially delivered on August 28th, 2006. Intended for the 24 VAB, 8 must carry out tactical missions and 4 to be modified to be able to carry out missions SAR in hostile environment.
  • Cameroun: 1 ACE 332L for governmental transport.
  • Chile:
    • the Chilean army took delivery of 12 SA.330F into 1972/73 and 3 SA.330L in 1980. 10 SA.330J reformed by the German frontier guards were also bought in 2006. The Puma Chilean are employed by the Regiment of Aviation n° 1 of Rancagua, which also received in 1983 a SA.332B and in March 1990 a SA.332M2 .
    • Between 1990 and 1993 the squadron of helicopter of attack HA-1 of the Chilean navy received a AS.332B1 transport VIP and 6 AS.332F1 ( ACE 532SC Cougar ) of fight ASM for replace its Alouette III. Being able to operate since the destroyers of the class County or the frigates of the class Leander , these aircraft are equipped with missiles AM 39 Exocet. Was lost on December 11th, 2002 and on March 24th, 2003.
  • China: 6 AS.332M were delivered to the popular army for the missions of transport VIP.
  • Congo: 1 SA.330 was delivered to Congo in 1974.
  • South Korea: 3 AS.332 for the missions SAR and of transport VIP, including one lost on March 14th, 2002.
  • Ivory Coast: 4 SA.330 were delivered to the Air Group of Transport of Abidjan.
  • United Arab Emirates: The air force received 10 apparatuses, whose electronics was modernized by the South-African company Avitronics in 2001. On its side the navy az taken delivery into 1982 of 8 AS.332F equipped with missiles AM 39 Exocet or ACES 15TT and with 2 SA.332L of transport VIP. The apparatuses of fight ASM were the subject of a recasting in 1996 at Eurocopter.
  • Ecuador: In 1997 the Air Group 43 of Guayaquil had 2 SA.330L and the terrestrial forces of a SA.330L and 10 ACE 332B .
  • Spain:
    • Air force: 7 SA.330C were delivered to the 801 Escuadrón Palma for the missions SAR. 5 specimens were always in service in 1999. The 402 Escuadrón also used between 1989 and 1995 some Puma for the missions of transport VIP, this helicopter being indicated HT.19 by Ejercito del Aire. In 1981 12 AS.332B1 were ordered, then two others in 1989 and 4 AS.332M in 1992. These apparatuses are distributed between Escuadrón 402 (Transport VIP, stationed with Quatro Vientos), 802 (SAR, stationed with Gando, in the Large Canarie) and 803 (Quatro Vientos). 2 AS.532AL still were delivered to the 402 Escuadrón 402 in December 2002.
    • Army: FAMET (Fuerza Aeromoviles del Ejercito de Tierra) took delivery into 1986 of 18 AS.332B1 then ordered 15 AS.532UL in February 1996. Indicated HT.21UC or HU.21L, they equip the BHELMA-II with Bétera, - III of Logroño, - IV of Seville and with the JEFAMET/SHEL of Colmenar Viejo. The BHELMA-IV was engaged in Afghanistan, or it was lost on August 17th, 2005. * Ethiopia: 1 SA.330H used by No 1 Sqdn To say Dawa.
  • France: Puma and Super Puma are used by the Air force and the ALAT.
    • Air force: Brought into service on May 2nd, 1974 only, SA.330B Puma is used by the ETOM 052 of Noumea, ETOM 058 of Fort-de-France, EHOM 068 of Cayenne, ETOM 088 of Djibouti, the CIEH 341 of Toulouse and the various squadrons of the Squadron of Helicopters 067. The ETOM 082 of Tahiti was equipped with AS.332 Super Puma and in 2000 arrived 14 AS.532 Cougar Mk 2 to equip the EH 1/67 with Cazaux and the GAM 056 of Evreux. Without forgetting the GLAM 01/060, which had for transport of civil and military high ranking authorities 2 Puma between May 1974 and 1988, then of 2 Super Puma until its dissolution in July 1995, these identifiable apparatuses with one being delivered white particular and having an improved interior comfort. Put besides this particular use, the Air force employs its Puma as a helicopter SAR ( Search and rescue /recherche and rescue) and ReSCo (research and rescue with the combat),
    • Army: ALAT received 4 apparatuses of preproduction (03, 04,06 and 07, this last having been reconditioned like c/n 1196), 118 SA.330B between 1969 and 1987 and one apparatus bought in Romania. All these apparatuses were modified in SA.330Ba with composite blades. Certain aircraft were equipped with a gun drawing on the right for the missions from fire support. These apparatuses equip the 1st RHC with Phalsbourg, the 3rd RHC of Etain, 5th RHC of Pau, the DAOS (Detachment ALAT for Special operations) and detachments ALAT of Bangui, Ndjamena and Djibouti. 28 AS.532UL Cougar were also delivered between 1988 and 1996, including 4 Cougar “Horizon'. The 4 Cougar HORIZON equip the E.H.O.R. (Flotilla of Helicopters of Observation Radar), officially created on July 1st, 1999 within the 1st RHC of Phalsbourg. Called " 4 mousquetaires" , they are officially baptized Athos (n° 2254), Porthos (n° 2298), Aramis (N) 2427 and of Artagnan (n° 2430). Other Cougar were distributed between the 1st RHC and the DAOS. Very solicited in Croatia, with the Kosovo, in Africa or Afghanistan, these apparatuses were the subject of modernization campaigns: in 2002 Cougar received a starting detector of missile and a lance lures and in 2004 was launched a programme of recasting of the navigation systems and self-protection for 45 Puma and 24 Cougar having to extend until 2011. Used as “a tactical helicopter” (transport of troops and materials under sling), the Puma of ALAT should be replaced between 2011 and 2018 by NH90 and Cougar to remain in service until 2025.
  • Gabon: 7 SA.330 were delivered between 1971 and 1980 to the Gabon. The presidential guard has a AS.332L .
  • Great Britain: The first Puma HC.1 of the RAF were delivered to the 240 OCU (Odiham), which became then 33 Sqdn. The 230 were then equipped Sqdn de Gütersloh, in Germany, the 1563 Flight stationed with Belize, the 72 Sqdn d' Aldergrove, Northern Ireland and the 18 Sqdn d' Odiham. The last 6 apparatuses of the 18 Sqdn, re-equipped Chinook HC.2, were transferred in February 1997 to the 72 Sqdn which was dissolves on March 31st, 2002. On this date the Puma was used more only by the 33 Sqdn stationed with RAF Benson since June 1997, and 230 repatriated Sqdn with RAF Aldergrove. In September 1994 was announced a modernization program of the avionics of navigation of these apparatuses, 41 helicopters being concerned. This program was completed in 1998. In 2002 six SA.330L were bought in South Africa to replace 9 apparatuses lost since their startup in 1971. These apparatuses were given to the RAF the 06sept04 after being revised by Eurocopter in Brasov, Romania. In 2003 the 1563 Flight was deployed in Al Basra, in Iraq, or an apparatus was lost on July 17th, 2004 and 2 others on April 15th, 2007. RAF should reform its last Puma in 2010.
  • Greece: The Greek coastguards took delivery of 4 AS.332C-1 between December 1999 and May 2000. These apparatuses were entrusted to the 358 Mira Elefsis, unit for the needs of which 4 AS.532C-1 were ordered in February 2000 (with an option for 2 AS.532UC ).
  • Guinea: 2 apparatuses assembled in Romania were delivered to Conakry.
  • Indonesia:
  • Iraq: 20 SA.330 were delivered by Aérospatiale.
  • Jordan: 10 AS.332M1 were delivered as from 1987 to No 7 Sqdn based to Amman.
  • Kenya: 13 apparatuses built by Aerospace and the Romania were delivered to the Flotilla Helicopters of the air force.
  • Kuwait: 9 SA.330H were delivered. Distributed between No 31 and 32 Sqdn, they are placed at the disposal of the terrestrial forces. 6 AS.332F followed in 1985 for the 62 Sqdn.
  • Lebanon: No 9 Sqdn lays out since 1980 of 6 SA.330L based with Beirut.
  • Malaysia: 1 AS.332 delivered in 1988 and lost on December 31st, 1993.
  • Malawi: 1 apparatus was delivered in 1977 and 2 others in 1980.
  • Morocco: 27 SA.330F were delivered to the royal air force as from 1974, followed from 7 SA.330G into 1977/78. Based with Reduction - Salted, they equip 2 escadrilles.
  • Mexico: 2 SA.330J belonged to the equipment of the flotillas of transport presidential, replaced thereafter by SA 332L .
  • Nepal: The 11th Nepalese Brigade has a AS.332L and the Royal Flight of 2 AS.332 and 9N-RAJ.
  • Nigeria: 15 SA.330 were delivered like 12 AS.332M1 .
  • Oman: 2 AS.332C from transport VIP for the Royal Flight and 3 AS.332L1 .
  • Pakistan: The Pakistani army took delivery of 30 SA.330J in 1976 to equip 2 escadrilles (No 21 and 25 Sqdn). In 2002 there remained about it half in service with No 21 Army Aviation Squadron of Rawalpindi, including 3 used for the missions of transport VIP.
  • Panama: 1 AS.332L
  • Netherlands: The first of 17 AS.532U2 Cougar Mk II intended for the Tactical Helicopter Group (THG) was delivered on May 31st, 1996. These apparatuses which constitute the 300 Sqdn, are stationed either in Soesterberg or with Gilze Rijen by 2 years rotations.
  • Filipino: 2 versed SA.330L with the 252nd Helicopter Sqdn, 250th Airlift Wing.
  • Portugal: 12 SA.330C were bought to equip the flotilla with research and rescue 751 of the BA-6 with Montijo. These apparatuses were put thereafter at the standard SA.330S-1 . The two last were reformed on December 20th, 2006, EH101 Merlin having taken the changing starting from November 30th, 2006.
  • Qatar: 1 AS.332F delivered in 1983
  • Romania:
  • Senegal:
  • Singapore: 4 AS.332B and 18 AS.332M were ordered in 1984 and delivered in 1986. 12 additional AS.332M1 were ordered in 1989 and were delivered like AS.532UL Cougar . These apparatuses are distributed between the 125 Sqdn Puma of Sembawang and 126 Sqdn Cougar of Oakley, in Australia.
  • Slovenia: 2 AS.532AL were delivered on April 26th, 2003 to the 15th Air Brigade of Ljubljana - Brnik, followed from 2 others on March 26th, 2004.
  • Sudan:
  • Sweden: 12 AS.332M-1 Super Puma were delivered into 1988/95 to Flygvapnet. Indicated Hkp 10 in Sweden, this apparatus equips the flotillas F4 (Östersund), F7 (Såtenäs), F17 (Ronneby) and F21 (Luleå). Since the withdrawal of the Hkp 3B in 1999, the Super Puma carries out all the missions SAR in Sweden.
  • Swiss: The three first AS.332M1 Super Puma were delivered between 1987 and 1988, followed by 12 additional apparatuses between 1991 and 1993. Indicated TH89, they made it possible to re-equip LTSt 5 (Interlaken), 6 (Alpnach) and 8 (Ulrichen then Lodrino) of Fliegerregiment 4, each Lufttransportstaffel having 4 apparatuses. In December 1998 12 additional AS.532UL were ordered (TH98), including 10 to assemble by SASC with Emmen. Delivered between February 2002 and September 2002, they were versed in EscLAv 1 (Payerne) and in LFlSt 2 (Emmen), 3 (Turtmann) and 4 (Dübendorf) which was dissolved in 1999.
  • Thailand: 2 AS.332L2 Super Puma Mk II were delivered in October 1996 to the Royal Flight, follow-up of a third mid 1997. This last having been victim of an accident on September 19th, 1997 (14 killed out of 21 people on board), the apparatuses were transferred to the 2nd squadron and were assigned to ministerial transport.
  • Togo: 1 SA.330 obtained in 1978 to equip a section with transport and connection with Lome, while a AS.332L with civil registration is used for ministerial displacements and VIP.
  • Tunisia:
  • Turkey: In 1993 Eurocopter delivered to the Turkish army 19 AS.532UL . One second however orders on 20 apparatuses having to be used by the air force for missions SAR and 10 by the Army for transport was obtained on February 13rd, 1997, including 28 AS.532AL/UL Cougar Mk I to produce in Turkey. The first specimen built by Turkish Aircraft Industry was delivered on May 31st, 2000.
    • Air force: As.532AL of the Turkish air force replaced Bell UH-1H of the 125 Filo (Izmir) and escadrilles SAR 201 (Eskisehir), 202 (Dalaman) and 203 (Merzifon).
    • Army: The Turkish army (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri), which uses its Super Puma for logistic missions since Güvercinlik, lost a helicopter in 1997, cut down by a missile SAM-7 fired by the guerilla from PKK.
  • Venezuela: The first of the 8 AS.332B1 ( ACE 532UL ) intended to replace the Alouette III of Grupo Aéreo de Operaciones Especiales No 10 was delivered in november 1989 for the escuadrón 102. 2 are assigned to transport VIP, 2 with missions SAR and the remainder aus logistic and tactical missions. The apparatuses of transport VIP were transferred thereafter to Escuadrón de Vuelo 42 from Caracas, which also has a AS-532AC , apparatus also equipping the escuadrón 101 with the GAOE 10.
  • Zaire: The 122e flotilla of the 12th group of connection, 1st Air Grouping of Kinshasa received on the whole 14 Puma of various models. Less than half are probably still in service at the beginning of 2006.
  • Zimbabwe: 2 AS.532 Cougar delivered in August 1995 and September 1996, used for transport VIP by No 7 Sqdn of Harare.

See too

  • List of the military aircrafts
  • http://www.helicopassion.com/fr/03/puma02.htm

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