Eurocopter Super Puma - Definition and Overview

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 Eurocopter 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 is used to ferry personnel and equipment to and from oil platforms. In civilian configuration it can seat approximately 18 passengers and two crew. (Different oil companies have different policies on how tightly people can be packed in.)

A wide variety of specialised military variants are in use, including dedicated SAR and ASW versions. Since 1990, military Super Pumas have been marketed as the Cougar.

Specifications (AS 332L1)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one or two pilots
• Capacity: up to 24 passengers
• Length: 16.29 m (53 ft 5 in)
• Main rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
• Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
• Main rotor area: 191 m² (2,056 ft²)
• Empty: 4,460 kg (9,812 lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 8,600 kg (18,940 lb)
• Powerplant: 2x Turboméca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, 1,357 kW (1,819 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 278 km/h (174 mph)
• Range: 831 km (519 miles)
• Service ceiling: 7,200 m (19,750 ft)
• Rate of climb: 492 m/min (1,614 ft/min)
• Main rotor loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: AS 330 - AS 331 - AS 332 -