Eurocopter Super Puma Totally Explained

Everything about Eurocopter Super Puma totally explained

The Eurocopter Super Puma (originally built by Aérospatiale) is a helicopter marketed for civil and military use. It is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma and first flew on September 13 1978.
The type has proved immensely successful, chosen by 37 military forces around the world, and some 1,000 civil operators. The Super Puma has proved especially well-suited to the North Sea oil industry, where it's used to ferry personnel and equipment to and from oil platforms. In civilian configuration it can seat approximately 18 passengers and two crew.
A wide variety of specialised military variants are in use, including dedicated Search and rescue and ASW versions. Since 1990, military Super Pumas have been marketed as the Cougar.

Variants

AS 331 - Prototype.
AS 332A - Commercial pre-production version.
AS 332B - Military version.
AS 332B1 - First military version.
AS 332C - Production civil version.
AS 332C1 - Search and rescue version, equipped with a search radar and six stretchers.
AS 332F - Military anti-submarine and anti-ship version.
AS 332F1 - Naval version.
AS 332L - Civil version with uprated engines, a lengthened fuselage and more cabin space, plus increased fuel. (Sometimes known as the Super Tiger).
AS 332L1 - Stretched civil version, with a long fuselage and an airline interior.
AS 332L2 Super Puma Mk 2 - Civil transport version, fitted with Spheriflex rotor head and EFIS.
AS 332M - Military version of the AS 332L.
AS 332M1 - Stretched military version.
NAS 332 - Licensed version built by IPTN, now Indonesian aerospace(PT. Dirgantara Indonesia).

Operators

Civilian

2 AS 332L1's in service with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and used for offshore operations to ferry workers to and from Caspian Sea oil rigs, and to transport passengers.

Used by Petrobras Oil

Federal German Police

The Canadian Forces had the Super Puma as a candidate to replace their aging SH-3 Sea King, but opted for rival Sikorsky S-92

Government Flying Service

Coast Guard

Malaysia Helicopter Services - chartered by PETRONAS for its upstream operations offshore the states of Terengganu and Sarawak.

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority

Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie

Bristow Helicopters Ltd - operates a fleet of around 20 airframes for North Sea hydrocarbon personnel transfer operations

Military

Argentine Army (332B)

Chilean Air Force Chilean Army (332M)

Brazilian Air Force (532MK1)

Brazilian Army (532UE)

Brazilian Navy (532MK1)

Ecuadorian Army (332M)

Greek Air Force (332C)

Indonesian Air Force

Indonesian Navy

Kuwait Air Force (332M)

Mexican Air Force

Royal Air Force of Oman

Panama

Panamanian Air Force/National Air Service (332L)

Nigerian Air Force (332B)

Saudi Navy (332F)

Republic of Singapore Air Force (332M)

Spanish Air Force (332B and 332M)

Spanish Army (332B)

Swiss Air Force (332M)

Swedish Air Force

Royal Thai Air Force

Venezuelan Air Force (332B)

Vietnam People's Air Force (332L)

Specifications (AS 332 L2)

Accidents and Incidents

G-TIGK 19th January 1995. Operated by Bristow Helicopters ditched in the North Sea. No Fatalities. Aircraft lost.

21. November 2006. A Eurocopter AS 332L2 search and rescue helicopter ditched in the North Sea. The aircraft was equipped with two automatic inflatable life rafts, but both failed to inflate. The Dutch Safety Board afterwards issued a warning (External Link

Further Information

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