Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma
The Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma is a civilian and military helicopter built by French and German company Eurocopter. It is an enlarged variant of the Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma. It is used principally for transport and search and rescue, but some are used for water bombing, special forces support, and VIP & VVIP liaisons. Some are used by police aviation, coast guards, and customs. All are built in Marignane factory, but a production licence was sold to Indonesia. In this last kind Super Puma are known as NAS-332.
| Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nepalese military Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma. | |
| Role | Transport Helicopter |
| National origin | France & Germany |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale, and after Eurocopter. |
| First flight | September 13th, 1978. |
| Introduction | 1980 |
| Status | Active |
Operators
Civilians
Civilians Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma flies or flown in Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Morocco, UK, and USA.
Militaries
Militaries Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma flies or flown in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, Congo, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, UAE, and Venezuela.
Related developments
Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar is a military variant, and EC225 Super Puma Mk-2 is a modernized variant.
Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma Media
A French Army AS332 Super Puma, 1999
An AS332 Super Puma of the Osaka Prefectural Police, 2009
Eurocopter Super Puma of the Swedish 1st Helicopter Squadron, 1st Helicopter Flotilla
AS332 of the Spanish Air Force conducting a medevac over Herat Province, Afghanistan, 2008
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma (Defense Minister of France)
A CHC AS332L2 Super Puma
An L.A. County Sheriff's Department Super Puma flying a SAR mission
AS 332 of the Icelandic Coast Guard
AS 332 of the Hellenic Air Force
A Singapore Air Force Super Puma approaching the USS Inchon
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Bibliography
- Jackson, Robert, Helicopters: Military, Civilian, and Rescue Rotorcraft (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books Ltd, 2005. ISBN 1-84013-812-2.
- Gaillard, Pierre, Avions et hélicoptères militaires d'aujourd'hui Paris, France : Larivière éditions, 1999. ISBN 2-907051-24-5.
- Frawley, Gerard, The international directory of military aircraft 2002/2003 . London: Aerospace Publication, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
