40-639: The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar (now Airbus Helicopters H215M ) is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter developed by Eurocopter . The AS532 is a development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma in its militarized form. Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma (Later called the Airbus Helicopters H215 , note the lack of M suffix). The AS532 has been further developed as
80-833: A request for proposals to replace the Squirrel HT1; Airbus Helicopters has already announced its intention to offer a mixed fleet of Eurocopter EC130s and Eurocopter EC135s in response. Since May 1984, the Royal Australian Navy 's Fleet Air Arm has operated a fleet of AS350s, these were upgraded to the AS350 BA standard in 1995; the Royal Australian Air Force had previously operated the AS350 for training purposes, and briefly for search and rescue missions, but these were later transferred to
120-765: A contract with the Brazilian Army to substantially upgrade and refurbish their existing fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils. In the United Kingdom, the Defence Helicopter Flying School operated 26 AS350, designated Squirrel HT1 , for the training of pilots of Britain's armed forces; the type was introduced from 1997 onwards as a replacement for the Aérospatiale Gazelle . In September 2014, the UK's Ministry of Defence issued
160-615: A move to disperse its helicopter production activities, begin AS350 production and final assembly activities at its factory in Columbus , Mississippi, for deliveries to U.S. commercial helicopter market. The Astar has been Eurocopter's biggest-selling product in the US commercial market, at one point selling roughly one AS350 every business day. In March 2015, the first Columbus-assembled AS350 B3e received its FAA certification. In December 2015, Airbus Helicopters reported their intention to double
200-1070: A typical seating configuration, and large sliding doors can be fitted to either side of the cabin. In some operators' fleets, the furnishings of the cabin has been designed to enable the internal space and/or equipment fit-out to be rapidly reconfigured to enable aircraft to be switched between roles. Public service operators, such as those in law enforcement , often have forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and other mission systems installed on their aircraft. Other optional equipment on offer to operates had included real-time data links , rescue hoists, underslung cargo hooks, electrical external mirrors , search lights , tactical consoles, night vision goggle -compatibility, moving-map system, internal cabin tie-downs, second battery kit, sand filters, wire strike protection system , 4-channel radio, tail rotor arch, cabin floor windows, and removable seats. Modern aircraft have refinements beyond those featuring on older models; these changes include dual-channel FADEC -equipped engines, increasing use of digital avionics in
240-556: A typical use of the type, by 2015. By 1999, the AS350 had become the prime helicopter being used by the United States Customs Service for light enforcement operations; by 2007, the agency had become the single largest operator of the type in the world. By 2012, out of the 3,300 AS350s in operation across the world, 783 of them were in service with American-based operators. In the Russian market since 2006,
280-500: Is known for its high-altitude performance and has seen use by operators in such environments. Both the main and tail rotors make use of composite material and are designed to minimize corrosion and maintenance requirements. The AS350 was also developed to comply with the noise requirements in place in locations such as national parks ; the in-cabin noise levels are such that passengers may also readily converse during flight. The aircraft can also be quickly started up and shut down, which
320-596: Is often useful during emergency medical services roles. It is equipped with hydraulically -assisted flight controls ; these controls remain operational, albeit operated with greater physical effort, in the event of a hydraulic failure. Much of the AS350's avionics are provided by Garmin , such as the GI 106A course-deviation indicator, GNS 430 VHF /VOR/localizer/glideslope indicator/ Global Positioning System receiver, GTX 327 Mode A and C transponder, and GMA 340H intercom. The Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) and
360-734: Is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus . It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries, holding 48% of the worldwide market share as of 2020. Its head office is located at Marseille Provence Airport in Marignane , France , near Marseille . The main facilities of Airbus Helicopters are at its headquarters in Marignane, France, and in Donauwörth , Germany, with additional production plants in Spain , Brazil , Canada , Australia , Romania ,
400-857: The Australian Army . In 2017, the AS350 was retired from Australian Navy service. Between June 2007 and December 2007, the Danish Air Force operated a deployment of four AS350 helicopters at Basra International Airport , Iraq , to perform liaison and reconnaissance missions in support of coalition forces during the Iraq War . In June 2015, the Argentine Defense Ministry ordered 12 H125s to replace their 1970s era Aérospatiale SA 315B Lamas for para-public support missions, such as search and rescue operations, inside Argentina. By June 2020, 3,663 H125 were operational,
440-678: The Bo105 . Today, Airbus Helicopters has four main plants in Europe ( Marignane and La Courneuve in France, and Donauwörth and Kassel in Germany), plus 32 subsidiaries and participants around the world, including those in Fort Erie Canada , Brisbane , Australia, Albacete , Spain and Grand Prairie , USA. Since approximately 2006, Eurocopter has been involved in the planning for
SECTION 10
#1732783174112480-571: The Eurocopter EC725 . The AS332 Super Puma, designed as a growth version to replace the SA 330 Puma, first flew in September 1977. It was fitted with two 1,330 kW 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
520-618: The United Kingdom and the United States . The company, originally named Eurocopter, was rebranded Airbus Helicopters on 2 January 2014. Airbus Helicopters was formed in 1992 as Eurocopter S.A. , through the merger of the helicopter divisions of Aérospatiale and DASA . The company's heritage traces back to Blériot and Lioré et Olivier in France and to Messerschmitt and Focke-Wulf in Germany. Aérospatiale held 33% of
560-469: The rotor system , powerplants, and avionics have been progressively improved. On 6 February 1987, a prototype AS350 flew with a fenestron tail-rotor in the place of its conventional counterpart. On 1 March 1997, the first AS350 B3, equipped with an Arriel 2B engine, performed its first flight. Conversion programs and addons for AS350s have been produced and are offered by third-party 'aftermarket' aerospace firms in addition to those available directly from
600-405: The AS350 (such as the main and tail gearboxes) are now maintained locally. On 9 September 2015, China's first helicopter leasing company, CM International Financial Leasing Corp Ltd (CMIFL), placed an order for 100 Ecureuil-series helicopters, these are to be a mix of H125 and H130 helicopters. Brazil has been an extensive operator of the AS350; by 2011 more than 300 helicopters were operating in
640-548: The AS350 and other helicopters built by the manufacturer have been sold and supported by wholly owned subsidiary Eurocopter Vostok ; UTair Aviation soon emerged as the largest Russian operator of the AS350 B3e with a fleet of at least 20 of the type. In December 2014, EASA validation was issued for Airbus Helicopters China to conduct training and support activity at their facility in Shenzhen , China; various components of
680-485: The First Limit Indicator (FLI) both serve to increase the aircraft's safety during flight, reducing the number of gauges that need to be monitored by the pilot and thereby reducing their workload. For increased smoothness in flight, which positively affects passenger comfort as well as safety, stability augmentation systems can be installed. Later-production aircraft feature new avionics and systems such as
720-627: The H125 is marketed as the AStar . The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar. The Eurocopter EC130 ( Airbus Helicopters H130 ) is a derivative of the AS350 airframe and is considered by the manufacturer to be part of the Écureuil single-engine family. In the early 1970s, Aérospatiale initiated a development programme to produce a replacement for
760-410: The aging Aérospatiale Alouette II . While the Aérospatiale Gazelle , which had been developed in the 1960s and 1970s, had been met with numerous orders by military customers, commercial sales of the type had been less than anticipated, thus the need for a civil-oriented development was identified. The development of the new rotorcraft, which was headed by Chief Engineer René Mouille , was focused on
800-892: 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 . In 2012 France began a €288.8m project (€11.1m/unit) to upgrade 23 Army Cougars and 3 for the Air Force to address obsolescence issues and to deliver similar avionics to their EC225 and EC725 helicopters. Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Eurocopter Airbus Helicopters SAS (formerly Eurocopter S.A. , trading as Eurocopter Group )
840-416: The cockpit, decreased maintenance costs, a re-designed cabin, and a comfortable Stylence interior (optional). Older aircraft often undergo refurbishment programs to install aftermarket features, or for the addition of functionality common to newer production aircraft, such as retrofitting of the glass cockpit. On 14 May 2005, an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on
SECTION 20
#1732783174112880-412: The company: Some of the helicopters were renamed in 2015, resembling Airbus airplane naming. When the division changed its name from Eurocopter Group to Airbus Helicopters in 2014 the trade names of the products were changed (applied by 1 January 2016) to reflect this. Suffixes, as well as the differentiation for single or twin engines, were no longer to be used. Military versions were to be symbolized by
920-665: The country, including from the flight deck of the Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo . Since 1984, the Brazilian Navy has used AS350s to support the Brazilian Antarctic Program . Helibras , a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter, operates in the country; of the 600 helicopters it had domestically manufactured for the Brazilian market by 2012, 70% were AS350s. In January 2011, Helibras signed
960-463: The emergent helicopter would be developed to conform with established military requirements. On 27 June 1974, the first prototype, an AS350C powered by a Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, conducted its maiden flight at Marignane , France ; the second prototype, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1A, following on 14 February 1975. The Arriel-powered version, the AS350B, intended for sale throughout
1000-470: The first ever landing of a helicopter on Mount Everest (achieved by an AS350 B3 in 2005). As a result of the merger of Aérospatiale and DASA in 2000, which founded Airbus , Eurocopter, now rebranded Airbus Helicopters , became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus. The new aerospace corporation in 2000 also incorporated CASA of Spain, which itself had a history of helicopter-related activities dating back to Talleres Loring , including local assembly of
1040-422: The integration of an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and autopilot, a glass cockpit featuring three liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) and digital avionics, such as the synthetic-vision terrain mapping system and Airbus's Multibloc center console upon which radios may be mounted. The AS350 has proven popular in a range of roles; multiple cabin configurations can be used, between four and six passengers in
1080-676: The introduction of the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor (on the Gazelle of 1968); the first helicopter certified for full flight in icing conditions (the AS332 Super Puma , in 1984); the first production helicopter with a Fly-by-wire control system (the NHIndustries NH90 , first flown in full FBW mode in 2003); the first helicopter to use a Fly-by-light primary control system (an EC135 testbed, first flown in 2003); and
1120-718: The largest number of any type. In June 1978, Transport Canada (TC) issued the Canadian type certificate for the AS 350 C model, marking it as the first of the AS 350 series certified in Canada. The AS 350 B was added to the type certificate 's data sheet in February 1980, and the AS 350 B1 received certification from TC in July 1988. AS350s are widely utilized in Canada for fire suppression and mountain operations. This versatile helicopter
1160-758: The letter M. The only exceptions to this new branding were the AS365, the AS565, the Tiger and the NH90, which will keep their current names. Comparable major helicopter manufacturers : Eurocopter AS350 The Airbus Helicopters H125 (formerly Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (or Squirrel )) is a single-engine light utility helicopter designed and originally manufactured by the French corporation Aérospatiale , and later by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters). In North America,
1200-416: The main airframe from Germany, and the tail boom from Spain, according to reports. On 23 July 2024, TASL and Airbus signed the deal for production. The AS350 is a single engine helicopter, powered either by a Lycoming LTS101 or Turbomeca Arriel powerplant (for twin-engined variants, see Eurocopter AS355 ), that drives a three- blade main rotor, which is furnished with a Starflex rotor head. The type
1240-510: The number of units produced gradually increasing to 20, 30, or 50 in the future. As of now, 500 units is expected to be produced in 20 years. The H125 base variant produced in India, will cost above Euro 3.2 million. Airbus has reportedly identified 8 locations to become potential sites for the FAL. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held by year-end. The H125's engine and gearbox will come from France,
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-427: The production of an economic and cost-effective aerial vehicle, thus both Aérospatiale's Production and Procurement departments were heavily involved in the design process. One such measure was the use of a rolled sheet structure, a manufacturing technique adapted from the automotive industry ; another innovation was the newly developed Starflex main rotor. It was also decided that both civil and military variants of
1320-431: The proposed pan-European Future Transport Helicopter project. As of 2014, more than 12,000 Airbus Helicopters were in service with over 3,000 customers in around 150 countries. Eurocopter became Airbus Helicopter at the start of 2014. Eurocopter sold 422 helicopters in 2013 and delivered 497 helicopters that year. In 2014, AH built a concrete cylinder for testing helicopters before first flight. In December 2022, it
1360-530: The rate of AS350 production at Columbus in 2016 over the previous year, and that the facility is capable of producing up to 65 AS350s per year. The H125 Final Assembly Line (FAL), which will serve both the local and export markets, will be introduced by Airbus with Tata Advanced Systems in India . The first Made-in-India helicopter with EASA-certified quality assurance will be delivered in 2026. Ten helicopters will be manufactured each year at final assembly, with
1400-590: The rescue of Sudarshan Gautam between Camps III & IV in Everest's Yellow Band on the morning of 20 May 2013. On 2 June 2014, an AS350 B3e broke a national record in Mexico by successfully landing on the peak of Pico de Orizaba , at 5,636 m (18,490 ft), the nation's tallest mountain. The AS350 AStar has been successful in the US market, having become the most popular helicopter platform in use with American governmental agencies, law enforcement being
1440-540: The top of Mount Everest , at 8,848 m (29,030 ft), a record that has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale . On 29 April 2010, a stripped-down AS350 B3 rescued three Spanish alpinists, one at a time, from the slopes of Annapurna I , Nepal at an altitude of 6,900 m (22,640 ft); this set a new record for the highest such rescue. The record was increased to 7,800 m (25,590 ft), during
1480-594: The type's prime manufacturer. Variants of the Arriel-powered AS350B, AS350 BA, AS350 B1, AS350 B2, and AS350 B3, were progressively introduced; the later B3 differing from preceding models by the increasing use of digital systems, such as the Garmin -built G500H avionics suite and FADEC engine control system. Prior to 2013, the type had been manufactured principally at Eurocopter's Marignane facility, near Marseille , France; Eurocopter opted to, as part of
1520-706: The world except for North America, was certified in France on 27 October 1977, while the Lycoming powered AS350C (or AStar) was certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration on 21 December 1977. In March 1978, deliveries to customers began for the AS350B, deliveries of the AS350C began in April 1978. Over time, the AS350 Écureuil/AStar has received further development; while the aircraft's design remains broadly similar, aspects such as
1560-486: The world's helicopter market share prior to the merger and DASA, 8%; Eurocopter's ownership was therefore split 70%–30% between the two parent companies to reflect their respective weight in the new entity. Eurocopter and its predecessor companies have established a wide range of helicopter firsts, including the first production turboshaft -powered helicopter (the Aérospatiale Alouette II of 1955);
1600-488: Was announced Airbus Helicopters has acquired the Kassel-Calden -headquartered gearbox and component supplier, ZF Luftfahrttechnik from ZF Friedrichshafen for an undisclosed amount. The business will be rebranded as Airbus Helicopters Technik. In May 2024, Airbus Helicopters signed a MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to finance civil helicopter purchases in India. Historical emblems of
#111888