Aérospatiale SA330 Puma

Summary

Category	Helicopter
Origin country	🇫🇷 France
First flight	15 April 1965
Year of introduction	1968
Number produced	697 units
Average unit price	$2 million

Description

The development of the SA330 Puma was motivated by the French Army's need for a versatile, all-weather, medium-lift helicopter. Work on the project began in the early 1960s, and the design was guided by the aim to produce a multi-purpose aircraft that could serve in a variety of roles.

The helicopter was engineered to operate in challenging conditions, including hot and high-altitude environments. It utilizes a pair of Turmo turboshaft engines, which contribute to its performance capabilities. These engines are paired with a four-blade main rotor and a two-blade tail rotor. The Puma features a cabin capable of accommodating up to 20 troops or a substantial amount of cargo.

Operational history

After entering service with the French Army in 1968, the helicopter quickly gained popularity with various other military and civilian operators worldwide.

In Europe, it has been extensively used by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and Army Air Corps. British Pumas saw action in Northern Ireland during The Troubles and later in the Balkans. The Puma has also been deployed in humanitarian missions, such as disaster relief efforts.

In Africa, the Puma has been used in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions. For example, South African Pumas (locally modified and known as the "Oryx") played a significant role during the Angolan Civil War and the South African Border War. They were used for troop transport, medevac, and even armed missions.

In South America, the Puma has been operated by several countries, with roles ranging from anti-drug operations to search and rescue missions. In the Middle East, Pumas have been used in various capacities, including by the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran-Iraq War.

The Puma also saw service in the Gulf War and the subsequent Iraq War, where its versatility was leveraged for troop transport, supply runs, and medevac operations. In Afghanistan, it was used by multiple NATO countries for similar roles.

Several Pumas have been used in United Nations peacekeeping missions, and they have also found extensive use in civilian roles, including oil and gas exploration, search and rescue, and firefighting.

Variants

SA330B: Initial production version specifically designed for the French Army, featuring Turmo IVC turboshaft engines, employed mainly for tactical troop transport. 132 purchased by France.
SA330H: Upgraded model for the French Army, featuring Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines and composite main rotor blades. All remaining SA 330Bs in the French Army's inventory were retrofitted to this standard.
SA 330L: A hot and high version with an uprated engine for operations in extreme conditions, like high altitudes and temperatures.
HC.1 and HC.2: British military variants assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF, with HC.1 being the initial version and HC.2 featuring various upgrades, including improved engines and avionics.
Oryx: A South African variant, essentially a hybrid between the Puma and the Super Puma, locally produced and modified to suit the requirements of the South African Air Force.
IAR-330: A Romanian-built version under license, with some local modifications. Used by the Romanian Air Force and available in both military and civilian configurations.
AS332 Super Puma: An improved and larger version, featuring more powerful engines, a longer fuselage, and advanced avionics. Primarily used for offshore oil rig operations, search and rescue, and military transport.

Technical specifications

Version: SA330H Puma
Crew	1 pilot + 1 copilot + 1 member
Operational range	580 km (360 mi)
Maximum speed	257 km/h (160 mph)
Wingspan	15 m (49.2 ft)
Height	5.1 m (16.9 ft)
Length	18.2 m (59.5 ft)
Service ceiling	4800 m (15748 ft)
Empty weight	3536 kg (7796 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	7000 kg (15432 lbs)
Climb rate	7.1 m/s (23.3 ft/s)
Powerplant	2 × Turbomeca Turmo IVC turboshafts, 1,175 kW each

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Romania	60
	Pakistan	44
	France	38
	Morocco	26
	United Kingdom	19
	Kenya	13
	Lebanon	11
🇨🇩	Congo Democratic Republic	10
	Indonesia	9
	Kuwait	6
	Gabon	5
	Chile	3
	Cameroon	2
	Guinea	2
	Malawi	2
	Ecuador	1