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| Aérospatiale Puma | ||
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| Missing image SA-330_Puma.jpg An SA 330 Puma SA 330 Puma | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Medium transport/utility helicopter | |
| Crew | 3 | |
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | ft in | 18.15 m |
| Rotor Diameter | ft in | 15.0 m |
| Height | ft in | 5.14 m |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | lb | 3,770 kg |
| Loaded | lb | kg |
| Maximum Takeoff | lb | 7,400 kg |
| Capacity | 16 passengers | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 x Turbomeca Turmo IVC turboshafts | |
| Power | hp | 2 x 1,175 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum Speed | mph | 258 km/h |
| Combat Range | 309 nautical miles | km |
| Ferry Range | miles | km |
| Service Ceiling | ft | 4,800 m |
| Rate of Climb | ft/min | 552 m/min |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | Various, including co-axial 7.62 mm machine guns and side-firing 20 mm cannon | |
| Bombs | ||
| Missiles | ||
| Rockets | ||
| Other | ||
The Aerospatiale Puma is a medium-sized twin-engined transport/utility helicopter originally manufactured by Aerospatiale of France. It is also known under the designation SA 330.
| Contents |
History
The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Aerospatiale 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. On 25 April 1978 the SA 330J Puma achieved the distinction of becaming the first helicopter outside the (then) Soviet Union to be certificated for all-weather operations, including icy conditions.
Production of the SA 330 Puma by Aerospatiale 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 Eurocopter Super Puma.
Variants of this helicopter were also manufactured, assembled or licence-built by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa, ICA of Romania and IPTN of Indonesia.
Users
The SA 330 Puma is one of the most widely used helicopter types in the world. Versions of this helicopter are or were in service with the armed forces of the following countries:
- Brazil
- Cameroon
- Chile
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- France
- Gabon
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Malawi
- Mexico
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Portugal
- Romania
- Senegambia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sudan
- Togo
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Zaire
The Puma is also operated by several civilian operators.
Versions
Aerospatiale versions
- SA 330 A: Prototypes, originally called "Alouette IV".
- SA 330 B: Initial production version.
- SA 330 "Orchidee": SA 330 modified to carry an "Orchidee" surveillance system for the French Army.
- SA 330 C: Initial export production version.
- SA 330 E: Version produced by Westland Helicopters for the RAF under the designation HC Mk 1.
- SA 330 F: Initial civilian export production version with Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 turboshaft engines.
- SA 330 G: Upgraded civilian version with Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines and composite main rotor blades.
- SA 330 H: Upgraded French Army and export version with Turbomeca IVC engines and composite main rotor blades.
- SA 330 L: Upgraded version for so-called "hot and high" conditions.
- SA 330 Z: 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.
- ICA IAR 330 L: This is a licence-built version of the SA 330 Puma manufactured by ICA of Romania. Designated as the SA 330 L by Aerospatiale.
- IPTN NAS 330 J: This is a version that was assembled by IPTN of Indonesia under the local designation NAS 330 J and the Aerospatiale designation of SA 330 J. Eleven units were produced.
- Westland Puma HC Mk. 1: This is the SA 330 E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF.
See also
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Lists of Aircraft | Aircraft manufacturers | Aircraft engines | Aircraft engine manufacturers Airports | Airlines | Air forces | Aircraft weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |
Films
The Puma can be seen as a modified Mil-24 Hind in Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III