|
|
|
|
Aérospatiale Puma
|
| |
|
| |
The Aérospatiale Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France under the designation SA 330.
SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Sud Aviation to meet a requirement of the French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. The helicopter also had to be capable of operating by day and night as well as in a wide variety of climates.
In 1967, the Puma was also selected by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and given the designation Puma HC Mk.1.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Aérospatiale Puma' Start a new discussion about 'Aérospatiale Puma' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
The Aérospatiale Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France under the designation SA 330.
Development
The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Sud Aviation to meet a requirement of the French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. The helicopter also had to be capable of operating by day and night as well as in a wide variety of climates.
In 1967, the Puma was also selected by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and given the designation Puma HC Mk.1. As a result of this decision, the SA 330 was included in a joint production agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland Helicopters of the UK.
The first of two Puma prototypes flew on 15 April 1965. Six 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. Two years later, in 1970, Sud Aviation merged with Nord Aviation and SÉREB to form Aérospatiale, and the helicopter has been associated with that name ever since, though it still retained the "SA" (for "Sud Aviation") model designator. On 25 April 1978 the SA 330J Puma achieved the distinction of becoming the first helicopter outside the (then) Soviet Union to be certified for all-weather operations, including icy conditions.
Production of the SA 330 Puma by Aérospatiale ceased in 1987, by which time a total of 697 had been sold. The Puma was then replaced by an upgraded and improved version, the AS 332 Super Puma.
Variants
Aérospatiale versions
SA 330A
- Prototypes, originally called "Alouette IV".
SA 330B
- Initial production version for the French Army Aviation. Powered by 884 kW (1,185 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 engines. 132 purchased by France.
SA 330 "Orchidée"
- SA 330 modified to carry an "Orchidée" battlefiled surveillance radar system with a rotating underfuselage antenna, for the French Army. One demonstrator was built, flying in 1986. The Orchidée programme was cancelled in 1990, but the prototype rushed back into service in 1991 to serve in the Gulf War, leading to production of a similar system based on the Eurocopter Cougar.
SA 330C
- Initial export production version. Powered by 1,044 kW (1,400 hp) Turmo IVB engines.
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.
SA 330G
- Upgraded civilian version with 1175 kW (1,575 hp) Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines.
SA 330H
- Upgraded French Army and export version with Turbomeca IVC engines and composite main rotor blades. Designated SA 330Ba by the French Air Force. All surviving French Army SA 330Bs converted to this standard.
SA 330J
- Upgraded civil transport version with composite rotor blades and higher maximum take-off weight.
SA 330L
- Upgraded version for so-called "hot and high" conditions. Military equivalent to civil SA 330J.
SA 330S
- Upgraded SA 330L (themselves converted from SA 330C) version for the Portuguese Air Force.Powered by Turbomeca Makila engines.
SA 330Z
- Prototype with "fenestron" tail rotor.
Versions by other manufacturers
Atlas Aircraft Corporation Oryx: This is a remanufactured and upgraded SA 330 Puma built for the South African Air Force.
IPTN NAS 330J: This is a version that was assembled by IPTN of Indonesia under the local designation NAS 330J and the Aerospatiale designation of SA 330J. Eleven units were produced.
ICA IAR 330: This is a licence-built version of the SA 330 Puma manufactured by ICA of Romania. Designated as the SA 330L by Aerospatiale.
Westland Puma HC Mk.1
- This is the SA 330E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF. This is basically similar to the SA 330B used by France. The RAF placed an initial order for 40 Pumas in 1967, with a further eight attrition replacement aircraft in 1979. 30 of these are planned to be upgraded to Puma HC Mk.2 standard, with new Turbomeca Makila engines, revised cockpit displays and new communications, navigation and defensive systems.
Operators
Military operators
(police)
- (1 helicopter)
: 10 helicopters pledged by UAE and to be delivered . Additionally 7 SA330L are currently in storage.
Slovenia
Civil operators
Helog KG Germany SA 330J
Starlite Aviation South Africa SA 330J
Evergreen Aviation USA SA 330J
Specifications (SA 330H Puma)
In the media
Movies
In Red Dawn (1984) and most notably Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) & Rambo III (1988) a SA-330 Puma was equipped with stub wings and a gun turret to mimic a Soviet Mil Mi-24 Hind.
See also
External links
|
| |
|
|
