Eurocopter EC725 Caracal
The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is a French and German military helicopter. It is built by Eurocopter. It is the last model of the Super Pumas series. This helicopter shares part of its avionics with EC225 Super Puma Mk-2.[2]
| French Air Force Eurocopter EC725 Caracal in 2017. | |
| Role | Transport Helicopter |
| National origin | France & Germany |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter. |
| First flight | 2000 |
| Introduction | 2006 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | French Air Force |
| Unit cost | 24.5 millions $[1] |
Equipment & weapons
All Eurocopter EC725 Caracal had got a Forward Looking Infra-Red (or FLIR) at the forward fuselage. It is like a ball. Some helicopters, like French ones, can be refueled in flight. Most have a gundoor, generally one or two 7.62mm– or 12.7mm–calibre machine gun.
Users
In 2013, the countries that use this helicopter are Brazil, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand.
In France Eurocopter EC725 Caracal is mainly used to transport special forces,[3] like in Brazil. It was used in the Afghanistan War[4] and in Mali[5] by the French. Some of their helicopters were used in January 2013 for an operation of the French special forces and DGSE's agents in Somalia.[6]
Eurocopter EC725 Caracal Media
The EC725 Caracal at RIAT 2009
An FN MAG mounted on an EC725
EC725 of the Brazilian Navy aboard helicopter carrier Atlântico, 2021
EC725 of the Brazilian Navy, 2018
EC725 in flight at a steep angle, France, 2013
A EC725 of the Brazilian Navy
A EC725 of the French Air Force at RIAT 2009
EC_725 Line Drawing
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References
- ↑ "You are being redirected..." www.aircraftcompare.com.
- ↑ "Cougar helicopter, military helicopter, EC725 helicopter's mission - Eurocopter, an EADS company". Archived from the original on 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ↑ Pocock, Chris. "French Squadron Uses EC725 Helicopters to "Fight and Rescue"". Aviation International News.
- ↑ "H225M Cougar Medium Multimission Helicopter".
- ↑ (in French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2013/01/actu/defense-la-france-sengage-au-mali/
- ↑ (in French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2013/01/actu/operations-les-helicos-francais-a-lassaut-de-la-somalie/
Bibliography
- Jackson, Robert (2005). Helicopters: Military, Civilian and Rescue Rotorcraft. ISBN 978-1-84013-812-2.
- Frawley, Gerard (2002). International Directory of Military Aircraft 2002/03. Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-1-875671-55-7.
