Eurocopter EC725 Caracal Facts for Kids

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is a powerful military helicopter built by Eurocopter, a company from France and Germany. It's part of the famous Super Puma helicopter family and shares some of its advanced flight systems with another model called the EC225 Super Puma Mk-2. This helicopter is designed to be very versatile and is used by different countries around the world.

Quick facts for kids

French Air Force Eurocopter EC725 Caracal in Paris in 2012.
Role	Transport Helicopter
National origin	France & Germany
Manufacturer	Eurocopter.
First flight	2000
Introduction	2006
Status	Active
Primary user	French Air Force
Unit cost	24.5 millions $

About the Caracal Helicopter
- What Can the Caracal Do?
  - Special Features
- Who Uses This Helicopter?
Images for kids
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About the Caracal Helicopter

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is a special military helicopter. It was created by companies in France and Germany. This helicopter is the newest model in the Super Puma family. It also uses some of the same advanced flight electronics, called avionics, as the EC225 Super Puma Mk-2.

What Can the Caracal Do?

Every Eurocopter EC725 Caracal has a special camera system called a Forward Looking Infra-Red (or FLIR). This system is shaped like a ball and is located at the front of the helicopter. It helps pilots see in the dark or through bad weather.

Special Features

Some Caracal helicopters, like those used by France, can be refueled while flying. This means they don't have to land to get more fuel. Most Caracals also have special doors where machine guns can be mounted. These guns are usually 7.62mm or 12.7mm in size.

Who Uses This Helicopter?

As of 2013, several countries use the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal. These include Brazil, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand.

In France, the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is mainly used to transport special forces. This is similar to how it's used in Brazil. The helicopter has been used to help in areas of conflict, like in Afghanistan and Mali, by the French forces. Some of these helicopters were also used in January 2013 to support French special teams in Somalia.