Eurocopter AS 532

infobox Aircraft
name = AS 532 Cougar
type = Medium Utility Helicopter
manufacturer = Eurocopter

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caption = Eurocopter AS 532 AL
designer =
first flight = September 1977
introduced =
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built =
unit cost =
developed from = Eurocopter Super Puma
variants with their own articles = Eurocopter EC 725

The Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter. The AS 532 is a further development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale Puma in its militarized form. (Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter Super Puma.) The AS 532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC 725.

Development

The AS 332 Super Puma, designed as a growth version to replace the SA 330 Puma, first flew in September 1977. It was fitted with two 1330kW Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, composite rotor blades, improved landing gear and a modified tailfin.

In 1990 all military Super Puma designations were changed from AS 332 to AS 532 Cougar to distinguish between the civil and military variants of the helicopter.

Canada had considered purchasing the Cougar to replace their CH-113 Labrador, but opted in the end to purchase the CH-149 Cormorant.

Variants

The current variants of the Cougar are:

AS 532 UL/AL

The AS 532 UL/AL is the long version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. It carries a crew of 2 and up to 29 troops or 6 injured passengers on stretchers plus 10 others. As with the other versions of the Cougar, the AS 532 UL/AL can lift 4.5 tons by means of a sling.

The Horizon battlefield ground surveillance system can be installed on the AS 532 UL (utility version).

The AS 532 AL (armed version) can also be fitted with a variety of weapons, including pod-mounted 20 mm cannons, 68 mm rocket-launchers and side-mounted machine-guns.

AS 532 SC

The AS 532SC is the naval version of the Cougar family and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines.

This version is mainly used for the following tasks:

* Anti-surface unit warfare (ASUW), fitted with AM 39 Exocet missiles.
* Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), fitted with a variable-depth sonar and torpedoes.
* Search and rescue.
* Sea patrols.

For deck landing, this variant can be fitted with a harpoon for quick securing.

AS 535

French Army Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR or "RESCO" in French) version.

EC 725

The EC 725 is a long-range helicopter, powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines, that accommodates 2 crew members up to 29 troops.

Improvements of the EC 725 in comparison to earlier models include modular design of the mechanical assemblies, use of composite materials, state of the art avionics, and a Vehicle Monitoring System.

Military operators

;ARG;BOL;BRA
* Some Super Puma, already in service and to be dropped until 2014. At least 50 Super Cougar to be built in Brazil and be delivered between 2010 and 2014(?);BUL
* all 8 AS 532 AL tactical transport helicopters now delivered and in service with the Bulgarian Air Force and additional 4 in CSAR-configuration to be delivered between until 2009. [ [http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=419 Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter Delivers 1st Cougar Helicopter To Bulgaria] ] ;CAM;CHI;CHN;COD;ECU;FRA;GAB;GER;GRE;IDN;JPN;JOR;KWT;MAR;MYS;MEX;NEP;NLD
*The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates AS-532U2 (Mk2) helicopters, which are an upgrade to the AS-532UL (expanded version). As of 2009, the 17 helicopters of 300 Squadron of the RNLAF will undergo a mid-life update.;NGA;OMN;PAN;PHL
*Used by the Presidential Airlift Wing in the 80s and early 90s. These have since been taken out of service.;QAT;KSA;SIN:Republic of Singapore Air Force:*126 SQN operates 12 AS 532UL helicopters.;SLO;KOR;ESP;SWE;SUI;THA;TOG;TUR;UAE;VEN

pecifications (AS 532 UB)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop

ref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directorycite book |last=Taylor|first=M J H (editor) | title = Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition | year = 1999 | publisher = Brassey's | isbn = 1 85753 245 7 ]

crew=2
capacity=20 troops
length main= 15.53 m
length alt= 50 ft 11½ in
length more= (fuselage)
span main= 15.6 m
span alt= 51 ft 2 in
height main= 4.92 m
height alt= 16 ft 2 in
area main=206 m²
area alt= 2,217ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 4,350 kg
empty weight alt= 9,590 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main= 4,650 kg
useful load alt= 10,250 lb
max takeoff weight main= 9,000 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 19,840 lb
more general=

engine (prop)=Turbomeca Makila 1A1
type of prop=turboshaft
number of props=2
power main= 1,185 kW
power alt= 1,589 shp
power original=

max speed main= 249 km/h
max speed alt= 134 knots, 154 mph
cruise speed main= 239 km/h
cruise speed alt= 129 knots, 148 mph
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main= 278 km/h
never exceed speed alt= 150 knots, 173 mph
range main= 573 km
range alt= 310 nm, 357 mi
ceiling main= 3,450 m
ceiling alt= 11,319 ft
climb rate main= 7.2 m/s
climb rate alt= 1,417 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=

armament=

avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Aérospatiale Puma
* Eurocopter Super Puma
* Eurocopter EC 225
* Eurocopter EC 725

similar aircraft=
* Sikorsky S-92

sequence=
SA 330 - AS 331 - AS 332

lists=
* List of helicopters
* List of utility aircraft

see also=

References