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Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma

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SA 330 Puma
AFrench ArmyPuma performing overRIAT,2010
General information
TypeUtility helicopter
National originFrance
ManufacturerSud Aviation
Aérospatiale
StatusIn service
Primary usersFrench Army
Number built697
History
Manufactured1968–1987
Introduction date1968
First flight15 April 1965
VariantsIAR 330
Atlas Oryx
Developed intoEurocopter AS332 Super Puma
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar
Denel Rooivalk

TheAérospatiale SA 330 Pumais a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utilityhelicopterdesigned and originally produced by the French aerospace manufacturerSud Aviation.

The Puma was developed as a new design during the mid-1960s in response to aFrench Armyrequirement for a medium-sized all-weather utility helicopter. Powered by a pair ofTurbomeca Turmoturboshaftengines, it was designed to transport up to 16 seated soldiers, or a maximum of sixlitterswith four attendants for casualty evacuation, along with carrying up to 2,500 kg of cargo either internally or using an external sling. The design of the Puma incorporated several innovations, including an automaticblade inspection systemand relatively advanced anti-vibration measures integrated into the maingearboxand main rotor blades. It was also designed to be capable of operating at night, under inhospitable flying conditions and in climates fromArctictodesert.The Puma also has an intentionally high level of reserve power to permit effective flight even at its maximum weight with only a single operational engine.

On 15 April 1965, the firstprototypeperformed itsmaiden flight;the first production standard Puma made its first flight during September 1968. Deliveries to the French Army commenced in early 1969; the type quickly proved itself to be a commercial success. Production of the Puma continued into the 1980s under Sud Aviation's successor companyAérospatiale.It was alsolicense-producedinRomaniaas theIAR 330;two unlicensed derivatives, theDenel Rooivalkattack helicopter andAtlas Oryxutility helicopter, were built inSouth Africa.Several advanced derivatives have been developed, such as theAS332 Super PumaandAS532 Cougar,and have been manufactured byEurocopterand its successor companyAirbus Helicopterssince the early 1990s. These descendants of the Puma remain in production.

Significant operations include theGulf War,theSouth African Border War,thePortuguese Colonial War,theYugoslav Wars,theLebanese Civil War,theIraq War,and theFalklands War.Numerous operators have chosen to modernise their fleets, often adding more capabilities and new features, such asglass cockpits,Global Positioning System(GPS) navigation, and defense measures. The type also saw popular use in the civilian field and has been operated by a number of civil operators. One of the largest civil operators of the Puma wasBristow Helicopters,which regularly used it for off shore operations over theNorth Sea.

Development

[edit]

The SA 330 Puma was originally developed bySud Aviationto meet a requirement of theFrench Armyfor a medium-sized all-weather helicopter capable of carrying up to 20 soldiers as well as various cargo-carrying duties. The choice was made to develop a new design for the helicopter, work began in 1963 with backing from the French government.[1]The first of two Puma prototypes flew on 15 April 1965; six further pre-production models were also built, the last of which flew on 30 July 1968. The first production SA 330 Puma flew in September 1968, with deliveries to the French Army starting in early 1969.[2]

SA 330B Puma, 2004

In 1967, the Puma was selected by theRoyal Air Force(RAF), who were impressed by the Puma's performance. It was given thedesignationPuma HC Mk 1.A significant joint manufacturing agreement was signed between Aerospatiale andWestland Helicoptersof the UK. The close collaboration between the French and British firms would lead to purchases ofAérospatiale Gazelleby the UK and theWestland Lynxby France. Under this agreement, Westland manufactured a range of components and performed the assembly of Pumas ordered by the RAF.[3][4][5]

The SA 330 was a success on the export market, numerous countries purchased military variants of the Puma to serve in their armed forces; the type was also popularly received in the civil market, finding common usage by operators for transport duties to off-shoreoil platforms.[6]Throughout most of the 1970s, the SA 330 Puma was the best selling transport helicopter being produced in Europe.[7]By July 1978, over 50 Pumas had already been delivered to civil customers, and the worldwide fleet had accumulated in excess of 500,000 operational hours.[8]

Romaniaentered into an arrangement with Aerospatiale to produce the Puma under license as theIAR 330,manufacturing at least 163 of the type for the Romanian armed forces, civil operators, and several export customers of their own.[9]Indonesiaalso undertook domestic manufacturing of the SA 330.[10][11]South Africa,a keen user of the type, performed their own major modification and production program conducted by the government-ownedAtlas Aircraft Corporationto upgrade their own Pumas, the resulting aircraft was namedOryx.In the 1990s,Denelwould also develop an attack helicopter for theSouth African Air Forcebased on the Puma, known as theDenel Rooivalk.[9]

In 1974, Aerospatiale began development of improved Puma variants, aiming to produce a successor to the type; these efforts would cumulate in theAS332 Super Puma.The first prototype AS332 Super Puma took flight on 13 September 1978, featuring more powerful engines and a more aerodynamically-efficient extended fuselage; by 1980, production of the AS332 Super Puma had overtaken that of the originating SA 330 Puma.[12]Production of the SA 330 Puma by Aérospatiale ceased in 1987,[13]by which time a total of 697 had been sold;[14]production in Romania would continue into the 21st Century.[12]

Design

[edit]
Instrument panel of an SA 330 Puma in service with the West German border police, 1985.

The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a twin-engine helicopter principally intended for personnel transport and logistic support duties. As a troop carrier, up to 16 soldiers can be accommodated on foldable seats, while in a casualty evacuation configuration, the same cabin can hold up to sixlittersand four additional personnel. The Puma can also perform cargo transport duties, either via the external carriage of underslung payloads on a dedicatedcargo hookor using the internal cabin space; up to a maximum weight of 2500 kg of cargo can be carried at a time. Civilian Pumas feature a variety of cabin layouts, typically intended for various forms of passenger transport, includingVIPs.In a search and rescue capacity, ahoistis commonly installed, often mounted on the starboard fuselage.[15]

A pair of roof-mountedTurbomeca Turmoturboshaftengines power the Puma's four-blade main rotor. The rotors are driven via a five reduction stage transmission at a typical speed of 265rpm.The design of the transmission featured several unique and uncommon innovations for the time, such as single-part manufacturing of the rotor shaft and the anti-vibration measures integrated into the maingearboxand main rotor blades.[16]The Puma also featured an automaticblade inspection system,which guarded against and alerted crews to fatigue cracking in the rotor blades. It is furnished with a pair ofhydraulicsystems that intentionally operate independently of one another, one system powering only the aircraft's flight controls while the other serves theautopilot,undercarriage,and rotor brake, as well as the flight controls.[17]

In terms of flight performance, the Puma was designed to be capable of high speeds, exhibit great maneuverability, and possess favourable hot-and-high performance; the engines have an intentionally high level of reserve power to enable a Puma to fly effectively even at maximum weight with only one functioning engine and proceed with its mission if circumstances require.[18]The cockpit is provisioned with conventional dual controls for both a pilot and copilot, a third seat is provided in the cockpit for a reserve crew member or commander. The Puma features a SFIM-Newmark Type 127 electro-hydraulic autopilot; the autopilot is capable ofrollandpitchstabilization, the load hook operator can also directly perform corrective adjustments of the helicopter's position from their station via the autopilot.[19]

The Puma is readily air-transportable bytactical airlifters,such as theTransall C-160and theLockheed C-130 Hercules;the main rotor, landing gear, and tailboom are all detachable to lower space requirements. Ease of maintenance was one of the objectives pursued in the Puma's design; many of the components and systems that would require routine inspection were positioned to be visible from ground level, use of life-limited components was minimised, and key areas of the mechanical systems were designed to be readily accessed.[15]The Puma is also capable of operating at nighttime, in inhospitable flying conditions, or in a wide range of climates fromArctictodesertenvironments.[20]

Although not included during the original production run, numerous operators of Pumas have installed additional features and modern equipment over the rotorcraft's service life. The RAF have equipped their Puma fleet withGlobal Positioning System(GPS) navigation equipment, along with an assortment ofself-defense measuresincludinginfrared countermeasuresand automaticflares/chaffdispensers, andnight vision gogglesfor night-time flights.[20]TheFrench Army Light Aviationhave modernised their Pumas to meetInternational Civil Aviation Organizationstandards, this involved the addition of new digital systems, including missioncommand and controlsystems, such as the Sitalatdata link.[21]Third party companies such as South Africa'sThunder Cityhave provided life extension and modernisation programmes for the Puma, some operators have opted to refurbish their fleets withglass cockpits.[22]

Operational history

[edit]

Argentina

[edit]

During theFalklands War/Guerra de Malvinasof 1982, five SA 330 Pumas of theArgentine Armyand one of theArgentine Coast Guardwere deployed to the theatre; these could either operate from the decks of Navy vessels as well as performing missions across the breadth of the islands; all were lost in the ensuing conflict.[23]On 3 April, while landing Argentine troops as part of thecapture of South Georgia,a Puma was badly damaged bysmall arms firefrom British ground forces and crashed into terrain shortly after.[24]On 9 May, a single Puma was destroyed by aSea Dartanti-aircraft missilelaunched fromHMSCoventry.[25]

On 23 May, a pair ofRoyal NavySea Harriersintercepted three Argentine Pumas in the middle of a supply mission toPort Howard;during the subsequent engagement one Puma was destroyed by colliding with the terrain and a second was disabled and subsequently destroyed by cannon fire from the Sea Harriers, the third Puma escaped.[26]On 30 May, a Puma was lost in the vicinity ofMount Kentunder unclear circumstances, possibly due tofriendly fire;[27]an article in the Argentine newssite MercoPress reported that, on that same day, a Puma had been brought down by aStinger missilefired by theSASground forces, near Mount Kent. SixNational GendarmerieSpecial Forces were killed and eight more wounded in the downing.[28]

France

[edit]

In September 1979, four Pumas were employed duringOperation Barracudato transport a French assault team directly upon the government headquarters of theCentral African Empire;after which confiscated valuables and assorted diplomatic and political records were quickly extracted to the nearby Frenchembassyby continuous air lifts by the Pumas.[29]

One distinctive use of the Puma in French service was as a VIP transport for carrying thePresident of Franceboth at home and during overseas diplomatic engagements; these duties were transferred to the larger AS332 Super Puma as that became available in sufficient numbers.[30][31]

French Puma duringOperation Desert Shield,1990

During the 1991First Gulf War,France chose to dispatch several Pumas in support of coalition forces engaged in a conflict withSaddam Hussein'sIraq.Those Pumas that had been assigned to the role of performing combat search-and-rescue duties were quickly retrofitted withGPSreceivers to enhance their navigational capabilities.[32]

As part of France's contribution to the 1990sNATO-led intervention in theYugoslav Wars,a number of French Pumas operated in the region alongside other Puma operators such as Britain and theUnited Arab Emirates;one frequent mission for the type was the vital provision of humanitarian aid missions to refugees escaping ongoing ethnicgenocide.[33]In April 1994, a French Puma performed a nighttime extraction of a BritishSASsquad and a downedSea Harrierpilot from deep inside hostileBosnianterritory, the aircraft came under small arms fire while retreating from the area.[34][35]On 18 June 1999, a single coordinated aerial insertion of two companies of French paratroopers was performed by 20 Pumas, helping to spearhead the rapid securing ofKosovska Mitrovicaby NATO ground forces.[36]

By 2010, both the French Army and French Navy have opted to procure separate variants of theNHIndustries NH90to ultimately replace the Puma in French military service.[37]Starting in June 2014, a pair of Pumas ofEscadron d'Hélicoptères 1/67 'Pyrénées(EH 1/60) were deployed toChadandNigerfrom June 2014 as part ofOperation Barkhaneto disrupt Islamist insurgency in theSahelregion. Initially operated fromN'Djamenain Chad, the detachment later moved forwards toDirkouandMadamain Niger, supporting ground troops and interdicting supply routes for the insurgent; the detachment returned to France in September 2015 after being relieved by other French Army assets. Roughly 20 SA 330 Pumas remained inFrench Air and Space Forceservice by 2016.[38]

Lebanon

[edit]
Pair of Pumas flying over Beirut, 1983

Between 1980 and 1984, theLebanese Air Forcereceived from France ten SA 330C Pumas to equip its newly raised 9th transport squadron atBeirut Air Base,where it was initially based. In 1983, the squadron was relocated north ofBeirutand its Pumas were dispersed across small improvised helipads aroundJouniehandAdmafor security reasons. On 23 August 1984, a Puma carrying theLebanese Armed Forces' Chief-of-staff and commander of theSeventh Brigade,GeneralNadim al-Hakim,and eight other senior military officers crashed in thick fog nearBeirut,killing all personnel aboard.[39]On 1 June 1987, the Lebanese Prime-MinisterRachid Karamiwas assassinated aboard a Puma en route to Beirut when a bomb exploded in anattachécase on his lap; the explosion also injured Interior MinisterAbdullah Rassiand three of the other twelve aides and crewmen on the Puma, which was severely damaged.[40][41][42]

During the final phase of theLebanese Civil War,the Puma fleet – now reduced to seven or six helicopters of flightworthy condition[43]– was typically being used to conduct liaison flights with neighboringCypruson behalf of GeneralMichel Aoun's interim military government, although fuel shortages and maintenance problems forced their crews to typically ground them until the end of the war in October 1990.[44]

After the conflict, theLebanese Air ForceCommand made consistent efforts to rebuild its transport helicopter squadron with the help of theUnited Arab Emiratesand seven IAR 330 SM helicopters formerly in service with theUnited Arab Emirates Air Forcewere delivered in 2010.[45]

In 2013, the Lebanese Air Force converted an IAR 330 SM into ahelicopter gunshipby mounting on hardened side-swivel mounts a singleADEN Mk 4/5 30mmrevolver cannonon a modified pod and a pair ofSNEB 68mm rocket launcherstaken from decommissionedHawker Hunter FGA.70 and FGA.70Afighter aircraft.Re-designated SA 330SM, the resulting Puma gunship underwent trials on October 10 that same year during aerial maneuvers held inHamat Air Base.[46]Although the trials were successful, the SA 300SM was not accepted for active service, with the Lebanese Air Force Command settling instead on an armed version of theEurocopter AS532 Cougar,of which seven helicopters were scheduled to be received over the next three years.[47]

Morocco

[edit]
Moroccan Puma, 2012

In 1974, Morocco made an agreement with France for the purchase of 40 Puma helicopters for their armed forces.[48]During the 1970s and 1980s, Moroccan Pumas saw combat service againstPolisario Frontseparatists and helped exert greater control over theWestern Sahararegion; use of air power by Moroccan forces was severely curtailed after several aircraft were lost or damaged due to the presence of Soviet-provided2K12 Kubanti-aircraft missiles in rebel hands in the early 1980s.[49]

In October 2007, as part of a €2 billion deal between Morocco and France, a total of 25 Moroccan Pumas are to undergo extensive modernisation and upgrades.[50]

Portugal

[edit]

In 1969,Portugalemerged as an early export customer for the Puma, ordering 12 of the helicopters for thePortuguese Air Force;Portugal would also be the first country to employ the Pumas in combat operations during thePortuguese Colonial War;the type was used operationally to complement the smallerAlouette IIIhelicopter fleet during theAngolaandMozambican wars of independence,the type had the advantages of greater autonomy and transport capacity over other operated helicopters.[51]

During the 1980s, Portugal engaged in an illicit arrangement with South Africa in order to circumvent aUnited Nationsembargobeing enforced upon South Africa under which France had refused to provide upgrades and spares for South Africa's own Puma fleet. In the secretive deal, Portugal ordered more powerful engines and new avionics with the public intention of employing them on its own Pumas, however many of the components were diverted via aZaire-basedfront companyto South African defense firmArmscorp,where they were used to overhaul, upgrade and rebuild the existing Pumas, ultimately resulting in theAtlas Oryx;the Portuguese Pumas also received significant upgrades which were paid for under the terms of the agreement.[52]

In 2006, the Portuguese Air Force began receiving deliveries of theAgustaWestland AW101 Merlin,a larger and more capable helicopter, replacing the aging Puma fleet.[53]

Starting in 2007, Portugal has been offering to sell eight of its withdrawn Pumas, they were still on sale by 2015.[54]

South Africa

[edit]
South African Air Force Puma, 2011

From 1972 onwards, Pumas operated by the SAAF were deployed on extended operations inSouth West AfricaandAngoladuring theBorder War.The Puma was involved in normal trooping; rapid deployment during "follow up" operations; acting asradio relays;evacuation of casualties;rescuing downed aircrew; insertion ofSpecial Forces;and large scale cross border operations such asSavannah,Uric,Protea,Super,andModular.The majority of South African Puma acquisitions, including of spare parts, were made in advance of an anticipatedUnited Nationsembargothat was applied in 1977.[55]South Africa subsequently upgraded many of its Pumas, eventually arriving at the derived indigenousAtlas Oryx;external assistance and components were obtained via secretive transactions involving Portugal during the arms embargo era.[52][56]

In December 1979, South Africa's government acknowledged the presence of its military forces operating inRhodesia;Pumas were routinely used in support of the South African Army's ground forces.[57]In June 1980, 20 Pumas accompanied a force of 8,000 troops during a South African invasion of Angola in pursuit of nationalistSWAPOfighters.[58]In 1982, the government confirmed that 15 servicemen had been killed when a South African Puma was downed by SWAPO forces, it was one of the worst losses suffered in a single incident in the conflict.[59]

During the 1990s, clandestine efforts to purchase surplus SAAF Pumas were made by then-PresidentPascal Lissoubaof theRepublic of Congo,most likely intended for use in theCongolese Civil War.[60]When the cruise shipMTSOceanossank off theWild Coastof South Africa in 1991, as many as 13 Pumas played crucial roles in the rescue efforts, winching 225 survivors to safety during bad weather conditions.[61]

United Kingdom

[edit]
ARAFPuma HC1 in flight, 2012

The first two Pumas for the Royal Air Force were delivered on 29 January 1971,[62][63]with the first operational squadron (33 Squadron) forming atRAF Odihamon 14 June 1971.[64]The RAF would order a total of 48 Puma HC Mk 1 for transport duties; during theFalklands War,an additional SA 330J formerly operated byArgentine Naval Prefecturewas captured by British forces and shipped back to Britain and used as a RAF static training aid for several years. This SA 330J was later refurbished by Westland using parts from damaged RAF Puma XW215 and put into RAF service after a lengthy rebuild as ZE449.[65]The Puma became a common vehicle for British special forces, such as theSAS,and has been described as being "good for covert tasks".[66]

Between the early 1970s and the 1990s, RAF Pumas were normally based at RAF Odiham (33 Squadronand240 OCU),RAF Gutersloh(230 Squadron) andNo. 1563 Flight RAFatRAF Belize.DuringThe Troubles,it was also common for a detachment to be based atRAF Aldergrovein Northern Ireland. In 1994, 230 Squadron relocated to RAF Aldergrove to provide a permanent presence to augment theWestland Wessexof72 Squadron.In 2009, 230 Squadron relocated toRAF Bensontogether with 33 Squadron from RAF Odiham.[67][68]

An upgraded RAF Puma HC2, 2014

Royal Air Force Pumas have also seen active service inVenezuela,Iraq,Yugoslavia,andZaire.[69]Britain has frequently dispatched Pumas on disaster relief and humanitarian missions, such as during the2000 Mozambique floodand the1988 Jamaican flash flood;[70]and to conduct peacekeeping operations in regions such asZimbabweand thePersian Gulf.[69]

During the climax of the First Gulf War, a joint force of Pumas from 230 and 33 Squadrons proved decisive in rapidly mobilizing and deploying troops to prevent Iraqi troops from sabotaging theRumaila oil field.[66]From the beginning of theIraq War,between 2003 and 2009, RAF Pumas would be used to provide troop mobility across the theatre.[71]On 15 April 2007, two RAF Pumas collided during aspecial forcesmission close toBaghdad,Iraq.[72]In November 2007, a Puma crashed during an anti-insurgentoperation in Iraq; an inquest found the cause to be pilot error primarily, however theMinistry of Defence(MoD) was criticised for failing to equip RAF Pumas with night vision goggles and inadequate maintenance checks compromising safety, these shortcomings were addressed following the incident.[73]

In 2002, six ex-South African SA 330L were purchased by Britain to extend the type's service life.[74][75]An extensive upgrade programme saw the first Puma HC Mk2 enter service in late 2012 and completion in early 2014,[76]permitting the RAF's Pumas to stay in service until 2025. In 2008, it was planned for 30 Pumas to be upgraded,[77]this was subsequently cut to 22,[78]and was later revised upwards for a total of 24 HC Mk2 Pumas.[79]Upgrades include the adoption of twoTurbomecaMakila engines, new gearboxes and tail rotors, new engine controls, digital autopilot, a flight management system, an improved defensive aids suite, and ballistic protection for both crew and passengers. The HC Mk2 Puma can transport double the payload over three times the range of its predecessor, and has been deployed for tactical troop transport, fast contingent combat, and humanitarian missions.[80]

It is expected that the RAF will replace its Puma fleet in the mid-2020s, the replacement rotorcraft being procured under theNew Medium Helicopterprogramme.[81]

Private military companies

[edit]

The Americanprivate military companyEP Aviationis known to have operated numerous Pumas inAfghanistan.[82]

Civil

[edit]

One of the largest and prominent operators of the type wasBristow Helicopters,where the Puma was regularly used for off shore operations over theNorth Sea.[9][83]During the 1970s, Bristow had sought to begin replacing theirSikorsky S-61helicopters, and the Puma was selected after a highly competitively-priced bid had been made by Aerospatiale; Puma G-BFSV was the first of the type to enter service with Bristow.[84]From 1979 onwards, the Puma formed the mainstay of the Bristow fleet;[85]the type took over the duties of Bristow's retiring Westland Wessex helicopters in 1981.[86]In 1982, Bristow opted to supplement their then-total fleet of 11 SA 330J Pumas via the introduction the more powerful Super Puma.[87]

The American operatorErickson Inc.has operated at least four Pumas; they have been used under contract forVertical replenishment(VERTREP) to theUnited States Fifth FleetandUnited States Seventh Fleet.[88]

Variants

[edit]
Portuguese Air ForcePuma during aSpace Shuttlerecovery exercise atLajes Air Base,Azoresin 2004
French ArmyPuma atRIAT2010
External videos
video iconFrench Army Puma during an exercise
video iconIn-cockpit view of a SA 330J flight
video iconSpanish Air Force SA 330 Puma performing at an airshow in 2011

Aérospatiale versions

[edit]
SA 330A
Prototypes, originally called "Alouette IV".[89]
SA 330B
Initial production version for theFrench Army Light Aviation.Powered by 884 kW (1,185 hp)Turbomeca TurmoIIIC4 engines. 132 purchased by France.[90]
SA 330Orchidée
SA 330 modified to carry anOrchidéebattlefield surveillance radar system with a rotating underfuselage antenna, for the French Army. One demonstrator was built, flying in 1986. TheOrchidéeprogramme was cancelled in 1990, but the prototype rushed back into service in 1991 to serve in theGulf War,leading to production of a similar system based on theEurocopter Cougar.[91]
SA 330C
Initial export production version. Powered by 1,044 kW (1,400 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IVB engines.[92]
SA.330E
Version produced by Westland Helicopters for the RAF under the designation Puma HC Mk. 1.
SA.330F
Initial civilian export production version with Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 turboshaft engines.[93]
SA.330G
Upgraded civilian version with 1175 kW (1,575 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines.[93]
SA.330H
Upgraded French Army and export version with Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines and composite main rotor blades. Designated SA 330Ba by the French Air and Space Force. All surviving French Army SA 330Bs converted to this standard.[93]
SA.330J
Upgraded civil transport version with composite rotor blades and with higher maximum takeoff weight.[94]
SA.330L
Upgraded version for "hot and high"conditions. Military equivalent to civil SA.330J.[94]
SA.330S
Upgraded SA 330L (themselves converted from SA 330C) version for the Portuguese Air Force. Powered byTurbomeca Makilaengines.[94]
SA.330SM
Lebanese converted gunship version by mounting on hardened side-swivel mounts a single ADEN Mk 4/5 30mm revolver cannon on a modified pod and a pair of SNEB 68mm rocket launchers on each side.
SA.330Z
Prototype with "fenestron"tail rotor.[95]
SA.331 Puma Makila
Engine test-bed for the AS.332 Super Puma series, powered by two Turbomeca Makila engines

Versions by other manufacturers

[edit]
Atlas Aircraft CorporationOryx
Remanufactured and upgraded SA 330 Puma built for the South African Air Force.
IPTN NAS 330J
Version that was assembled by IPTN ofIndonesiaunder the local designation NAS 330J and the Aerospatiale designation of SA 330J. Eleven units were produced.
IAR 330
Licence-built version of the SA 330 Puma manufactured byIndustria Aeronautică Românăof Romania. Designated as the SA 330L by Aerospatiale.
IAR-330 Puma SOCAT
24 modified for antitank warfare.
IAR-330 Puma Naval
3 modified for the Romanian Navy, using the SOCAT avionics.
Westland Puma HC Mk 1
SA 330E equivalent assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF, first flown on 25 November 1970. Several similarities to the SA 330B employed by the French Armed Forces. The RAF placed an initial order for 40 Pumas in 1967, with a further eight attrition replacement aircraft in 1979.[65]
Airbus Helicopters Puma HC.Mk 2
Modified Puma HC Mk1s,[96]total of 24 upgraded with more powerful Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, aglass cockpitand new avionics, secure communications and improved self-protection equipment.[76]

Operators

[edit]

Current operators

[edit]
Brazil
Chile
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ecuador
France
Gabon
Guinea
Kenya
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malawi
Morocco
Pakistan
Romania
A Puma HC2 of No. 33 Squadron using flares over Afghanistan while deployed in the country as part ofOperation Toral,2015.
United Kingdom

Former operators

[edit]
Algeria
Argentina
Belgium
Cameroon
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Iraq
Ireland
Mexico
Nigeria
Oman
A contracted Puma resupplies theUSSBenfoldfor theUS Navy Sealift Command
Philippines
A SA 330 Puma formerly used by West Germany's Bundesgrenzschutz (border police).
Portugal
Senegal
South Africa
Togo
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom

Notable accidents and incidents

[edit]

Specifications (SA 330H Puma)

[edit]
Orthographically projected diagram of the SA330 Puma Line Drawing
Orthographically projected diagram of the SA330 Puma Line Drawing

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77[134]

General characteristics

  • Crew:3
  • Capacity:16 passengers
  • Length:18.15 m (59 ft 6½ in)
  • Rotor diameter:15.00 m (49 ft 2½ in)
  • Height:5.14 m (16 ft 10½ in)
  • Disc area:177.0 m² (1,905 ft²)
  • Empty weight:3,536 kg (7,795 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight:7,000 kg (15,430 lb)
  • Powerplant:2×Turbomeca Turmo IVCturboshafts,1,175 kW (1,575 hp) each

Performance

Armament

Notable appearances in media

[edit]
Main article:Aérospatiale Puma in fiction

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^McGowen 2005, p. 123.
  2. ^Taylor 1976, p. 41.
  3. ^Lake 2001, pp. 97–98.
  4. ^James 1991, pp. 485–486.
  5. ^Frawley 1997, p. 13.
  6. ^Green 1978, p. 70.
  7. ^Leishman 2006, p. 43.
  8. ^Lambert, Mark."Aerospatiale chases civil helicopter sales."Archived2013-05-16 at theWayback MachineFlight International,8 July 1978. p. 76.
  9. ^abcMcGowen 2005, p. 124.
  10. ^Waldron, Greg (8 July 2011)."Eurocopter renews Indonesia partnership".FlightGlobal.
  11. ^"1965: SA330 Puma."ArchivedMarch 5, 2013, at theWayback MachineEurocopter.Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  12. ^abMcGowen 2005, p. 154.
  13. ^Lake 2001, p. 100.
  14. ^Taylor 1988, p. 57.
  15. ^abNeal 1970, pp. 814–815.
  16. ^Neal 1970, pp. 814–817.
  17. ^Neal 1970, p. 817.
  18. ^Neal 1970, p. 814.
  19. ^Neal 1970, p. 815.
  20. ^ab"Puma HC1."Archived2013-05-01 at theWayback MachineRoyal Air Force.Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  21. ^Lert, Frédéric."France trials new digital helicopter information systems."Archived2015-01-20 at theWayback MachineIHS Jane's Defence Weekly,30 November 2014.
  22. ^Birns, Hilka."Thunder City launches Puma conversion programme."Archived2013-05-16 at theWayback MachineFlight International,15 October 2008.
  23. ^Smith 2006, pp. 23–24, 38.
  24. ^Smith 2006, pp. 16–17.
  25. ^Smith 2006, p. 122.
  26. ^Smith 2006, pp. 82, 123.
  27. ^Smith 2006, p. 124.
  28. ^"Argentine Puma shot down by american" Stinger "missile".MercoPress.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-03-28.Retrieved2009-11-07.
  29. ^Titley 1997, p. 136.
  30. ^Titley 1997, p. 71.
  31. ^Ripley 2010, p. 11.
  32. ^Rip and Hasik 2002, p. 155.
  33. ^Ripley 2010, pp. 56, 60, 81–82.
  34. ^Ryan, Mike (2005).The operators(1. publ. ed.). London: Collins. pp. 33–35.ISBN0-00719-937-6.
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[edit]
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