Eurocopter AS532 Cougar Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids AS532 Cougar H215M

Eurocopter AS532 of the French Army
Role	Medium utility military helicopter
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters
First flight	September 1977
Introduction	1978
Status	In service
Primary users	French Air Force Bulgarian Air Force Turkish Air Force Royal Netherlands Air Force
Produced	1977–present
Developed from	Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
Variants	Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
Developed into	Eurocopter EC725

The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar, now known as the Airbus Helicopters H215M, is a powerful helicopter. It has two engines and is used for many different jobs. This helicopter was first made by Eurocopter.

The AS532 Cougar is a military version of an older helicopter. It was developed from the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. There is also a civilian version of this helicopter, called the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma. The Cougar has also been improved to create an even newer helicopter, the Eurocopter EC725.

How the Cougar Helicopter Was Designed
Different Types of Cougar Helicopters
Who Uses the Cougar Helicopter?
- Former operator
Cougar Helicopter Incidents
Technical Details of the AS532 UB
See also

How the Cougar Helicopter Was Designed

The AS332 Super Puma was created to be a better version of the SA 330 Puma. It flew for the first time in September 1977. This new helicopter had two strong engines called Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines.

It also had special rotor blades made from composite materials. These are strong, lightweight materials. The helicopter's landing gear was improved, and its tailfin was changed.

In 1990, all military Super Puma helicopters got a new name. They were changed from "AS 332" to "AS 532 Cougar." This helped people tell the difference between the military and civilian versions.

Canada once thought about buying the Cougar. They wanted to replace their older CH-113 Labrador helicopters. However, they decided to buy the CH-149 Cormorant instead.

In 2012, France started a big project. They planned to upgrade 23 Army Cougars and 3 Air Force Cougars. This project cost a lot of money. The goal was to update old parts and make the Cougars similar to newer helicopters like the EC225 and EC725.

Different Types of Cougar Helicopters

An Ecuadorian Army Cougar helicopter.

There are a few different types, or variants, of the Cougar helicopter. Each one is designed for specific tasks.

AS532 UL/AL: The AS 532 UL/AL is a longer version of the Cougar. It uses two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines. This helicopter can carry a crew of 2 people. It can also transport up to 29 soldiers. If needed, it can carry 6 injured people on stretchers and 10 other passengers. The AS 532 UL/AL can lift heavy loads, up to 4.5 tons, using a special sling.

The AS 532 UL is a utility version. It can have a system called Horizon installed. This system helps watch the battlefield from the sky. The AS 532 AL is an armed version. It can carry different weapons. These include 20 mm cannons, rocket launchers, and machine-guns.

AS532 SC: The AS 532 SC is the naval version of the Cougar. This means it is used by navies, or sea forces. It also has two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines. This version is mainly used for fighting ships on the surface of the water. It can carry AM 39 Exocet missiles for this job.

It is also used for finding and fighting submarines. For this, it has a special sonar system and torpedoes. Other jobs include search and rescue missions at sea. It also helps patrol the oceans. This helicopter can be fitted with ASIST. This system helps it land safely on ship decks, even in rough seas.

AS535: This version was considered for the French Army. It was meant for Combat Search and Rescue missions. These missions involve rescuing people from dangerous areas. However, the military decided to get a newer helicopter instead. They chose the Eurocopter EC725 for these important tasks.

Who Uses the Cougar Helicopter?

A Chilean Navy AS 532 helicopter.

Many countries around the world use the Cougar helicopter for their military forces.

Albania

Albanian Air Force

Brazil

Brazilian Army

Bulgaria

Bulgarian Air Force

Chile

France

French Army

A Bulgarian Eurocopter Cougar during training.

A French Army AS532 Cougar helicopter.

Germany

German Air Force

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Air Force
Royal Saudi Navy

Slovenia

Slovenian Air Force

Spain

Spanish Army

Switzerland

Swiss Air Force

Turkey

A Eurocopter Cougar of the Slovenian Air Force.

Turkish Air Force
Turkish Army

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Air Force

Former operator

Zimbabwe

Air Force of Zimbabwe

Cougar Helicopter Incidents

Helicopters, like any complex machines, can sometimes be involved in accidents. Here are some incidents involving Cougar helicopters:

On June 4, 1997, a Cougar helicopter crashed in Turkey. This incident resulted in the loss of 11 military personnel.
On April 29, 2003, a Cougar helicopter crashed into power lines in Isparta, Turkey. Four military personnel died in this training flight accident.
On July 25, 2012, a Cougar helicopter crashed during a test flight in southeastern France. Six people from the manufacturing company were killed. This helicopter was meant for the Albanian Armed Forces.
On June 1, 2017, a Cougar helicopter crashed into power lines in Turkey. This happened shortly after it took off from a base near the border with Iraq. Thirteen military personnel were killed.
On November 25, 2019, two French military helicopters crashed in northern Mali. A Eurocopter Tiger helicopter was involved in a collision with a Eurocopter AS532 Cougar. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 13 French military personnel.
On April 15, 2020, a Cougar helicopter used by the French Army crashed during a training exercise. Two military personnel on board died, and five others were injured.
On March 4, 2021, a Cougar helicopter crashed during bad weather in eastern Turkey. Eleven military personnel died, and two others were injured. Among those who died was Lt. Gen. Osman Erbaş, a high-ranking army commander.

Technical Details of the AS532 UB

Here are some technical details about the AS532 UB version of the Cougar helicopter:

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 20 troops / 4,650 kg (10,251 lb) payload
Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in)
Height: 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 4,350 kg (9,590 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 9,000 kg (19,842 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, 1,185 kW (1,589 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
Main rotor area: 206 m² (2,220 sq ft)

Performance

Maximum speed: 249 km/h (155 mph; 134 kn)
Cruise speed: 239 km/h (149 mph; 129 kn)
Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (173 mph; 150 kn)
Range: 573 km (356 mi; 309 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,450 m (11,320 ft)
Rate of climb: 7.2 m/s (1,420 ft/min)

Eurocopter AS532 Cougar facts for kids

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