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The Airbus Helicopters AS.332 L2 Super Puma is a twin-engined medium-weight
transport helicopter for up to 2 crew and 22 passengers powered by two
Turboméca Makila 1A1 turbine engines. The SNIAS SA.332 Super Puma was
derived from the SA.330 Puma, that flew first on 15 April 1965 under
Sud-Aviation banner. On 1 January 1970, Sud-Aviation merged with a
number of other French aerospace companies to form SNIAS (Société
Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale). Development of the AS.332 Super
Puma with more powerful engines and an enhanced rotor system started in
the late 70s. On 7 September 1977, the Makila-powered test-bed prototype
SA.331 c/n 001 F-WZAT, the modified SA330 B Puma c/n 1541, flew first.
The first production standard Super Puma, AS332-01 F-WZJA, was flown on
13 September 1978. On 1 February 1980, the AS332 C flew first, followed
by the AS332 L version (L for long) on 10 October. SNIAS AS 332L Super
Puma was certificated in 1983. From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name
of Aérospatiale. The Super Puma is in use in several military and
civilian roles. In 1990, the military Super Puma designations were
changed from AS332 to AS532 Cougar to distinguish between the civil and
military variants of the helicopter. The helicopter divisions of MBB
from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form
the Eurocopter Group. New Eurocopter designations for the further developed
helicopters based on the AS332L series were added: EC 225 Super Puma
(civilian versions) and EC 725 Cougar (military versions).
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the AS532 UL Cougar II is AS32.
As a result
of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA)
and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting
all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014. |
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On 22 November 1954, the ALAT - Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre - the French Army Light Aviation - was established for observation,
reconnaissance, assault and supply duties for the Frech Army. Today, the ALAT mainly operates helicopters, including the AS532UL Cougar.
The 1990-built Aérospatiale AS532UL Cougar s/n 2331 entered service with ALAT (Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre) 4e RHCM at Essey-lès-Nancy
as 2331 / F-MAIE. Over the years, AS532 UL Cougar 2331 served with several units like 1e RHCM and 11 BSMAT and was detached by the SFOR. Codes
used by Cougar 2331 include (F-M)AIE; (F-M)AIP; (F-M)CPN; (F-M)CYI and (F-M)CGU. In 2011-2012, the helicopter was modified by Eurocopter into
an AS532 M1e Cougar and tested as F-ZWDI.
On 1 July 1994, armée de Terre' AS532 UL Cougar '2331 / AIE' was seen during the "Open Dag" of the
Royal Netherlands Air Force at Leeuwarden AFB (EHLW/LWR). |
