Eurocopter AS532 Cougar

The AS532 Cougar is the military version of the Super Puma family, a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter that grew out of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. When the Super Puma first flew in 1977 it carried more powerful Turbomeca Makila engines, composite rotor blades and improved landing gear, and in 1990 the military machines were renamed from AS 332 to AS 532 Cougar to separate them from the civil aircraft. The family includes the long UL and AL utility and armed versions, which can carry up to 29 troops, and the AS532 SC naval version used against surface ships and submarines and for rescue. Operators include the armed forces of France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Brazil, and the type later led to the EC225M.