Eurocopter EC 725
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| EC 725 Cougar | |
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 An EC 725 Cougar MkII+ at Paris Air Show 2007 (French Armée de l'Air) |
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| Type | Tactical Transport helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter Group |
| Maiden flight | 27 November 2000 |
| Introduced | February 2005 |
| Developed from | Eurocopter AS 532 |
| Variants | Eurocopter EC 225 |
The Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar is a long-range tactical transport helicopter developed from the Super Puma/Cougar family for military use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 29 seated troops along with 2 crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties, and is similar to the civilian EC 225.
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[edit] Development
The EC 725 was developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a specialist helicopter for Combat Search & Rescue operations after the AS 532 A2 Cougar model was rejected for this purpose following extensive trials between 1996 and 1999. The more ambitious EC 725 design made its maiden flight at Marignane on the 27th November 2000 and the machine made its first presentation on the 15th January 2001. The French Air Force subsequently ordered 6 for Combat Search & Rescue duties with the first being delivered in February 2005. Eight more helicopters were ordered for the French Armed Forces in November 2002.
[edit] Design
The EC 725 is based on the Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar, improving upon the design with a five-blade composite main rotor incorporating a new airfoil shape to reduce vibration levels. The helicopter can be fitted with removable armour plating to protect the troops and is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A4 turboshaft engines mounted over the cabin, which feature a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. They can be fitted with an anti-icing system to enable the aircraft to operate in very cold climates. Other improvements include a reinforced main rotor gearbox and an all glass cockpit. The cockpit is equipped with an integrated display system featuring a digital map and Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays.
The helicopter has day and night time search and rescue capabilities by way of a search radar and Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR).
There are currently four configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC 725. The Troop Transport version has seating arrangements for a maximum of 29 troops in addition to the crew. The VIP Transport version can carry between 8 to 12 passengers. The Casualty Evacuation version can carry up to 12 stretchers with 4 seated medical staff, and lastly, the Combat SAR configuration is fully equipped for search and rescue duties in a combat environment.
The EC 725 can be fitted with the following military equipment and armaments:
- 2 x 7.62mm FN MAG machine guns mounted within forward left and right windows.
- 2 x 68mm (2.75") Thales Brandt or Forges Zeebrugge side mounted rocket launchers, each with 19 rockets.
- 2 x 20mm pod-mounted GIAT cannons with 180 rounds.
- Dassault Electronique EWR-99 FRUIT RWR Radar Warning Receiver.
- Alkan ELIPS multi-purpose chaffs/flares dispenser.
[edit] Operational History
The French Air Force helicopters were quickly put into active service with three EC 725 helicopters being used to evacuate people from Lebanon during Opération Baliste in the summer of 2006. As of 2007, two French Air Force helicopters have been deployed to the war in Afghanistan to support the coalition forces in the capital city of Kabul.
[edit] Variants
The EC 225 is a civilian version of the EC 725, distinguishable from earlier Super Puma/Cougar models by their five-blade main rotor.
[edit] Operators
- French Air Force - 6 in service for combat search & rescue missions. Deliveries being completed in 2007.[1]
- French Army - 8 in service with the Air Corps for special operations.
[edit] Specifications (Cougar EC 725)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from {Eurocopter.com}[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilot + co-pilot)
- Capacity: 1 chief of stick + 28 troop seats
- Length: 19.50 m (63.98 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53.14 ft)
- Height: 4.60 m (15.09 ft)
- Empty weight: 5,330 kg (11,750 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
- Useful load: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,200 kg (24,700 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Makila 1A4 turboshafts, 1,800 kW (2,413 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 324 km/h (175 kts)
- Maximum speed: 324 km/h (175 kts)
- Cruise speed: 285 km/h (154 kts)
- Range: 857 km (463 nm)
- Service ceiling 6,095 m (20,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.6 m/s (710 ft/min)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Eurocopter Cougar EC 725 Technical Data Manual
- Air Force Technology - Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar
- Flug Revue Online - Eurocopter EC 725 (Cougar Mk.II+)
- Skycontrol.net - Eurocopter EC 725 – Peak Power of the Eurocopter Cougar Helicopter Family
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
- List of helicopters
- List of utility aircraft
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