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| Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma | |
|---|---|
| Name | Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma |
| Caption | Super Puma in service |
| Type | Medium transport helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale |
| First flight | 13 September 1978 |
| Introduced | 1980s |
| Status | In service |
Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma The Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined, medium-sized transport helicopter developed by Aérospatiale in the 1970s. It was produced to meet requirements from organizations such as French Army, Royal Air Force, Norwegian Air Force, and commercial operators like Bristow Helicopters and CHC Helicopter for offshore support and utility roles. The Super Puma family influenced later designs produced by Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters and saw deployment in conflicts including the Falklands War, Gulf War, and Kosovo War.
Development began at Aérospatiale after studies of the earlier SA 330 Puma identified needs cited by customers including Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale clients and NATO partners. Chief designers responded to specifications similar to those issued by the French Ministry of Defence and export users like Brazil and Australia. The prototype flew in 1978, followed by certification influenced by standards established by the Joint Aviation Authorities and later by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Development incorporated technologies from concurrent programs at Westland Helicopters and design philosophies seen in Sikorsky projects.
The Super Puma features a five-blade main rotor concept derived from research at CERVA and aeromechanical work promoted by ONERA; its twin turboshaft engines were supplied by Turbomeca (now Safran Helicopter Engines). Airframe construction used aluminum alloys and composite components informed by studies from CNRS and prototypes exhibited at the Paris Air Show. Avionics suites were integrated from suppliers like Thales Group and Ferranti, enabling navigation tied to systems used by NATO partners and night operations with equipment similar to that in AN/AVS-9 type systems. Cabin configurations supported litters per standards used by International Civil Aviation Organization search-and-rescue protocols and accommodated cargo routines comparable to Boeing CH-47 Chinook handling for underslung loads.
Operators deployed the Super Puma for roles spanning offshore support to tactical transport during operations such as deployments to Iraq in the Gulf War and missions related to Operation Granby and Operation Desert Storm. Humanitarian sorties paralleled missions conducted by United Nations contingents and relief efforts coordinated with agencies like Red Cross. Several air forces adapted the type for VIP transport in styles seen in Presidential Transport roles and for special operations akin to missions by Special Air Service units. Commercial use proliferated in the North Sea servicing platforms owned by Royal Dutch Shell and BP.
Variants included upgraded models similar to trends seen across families such as the AS332L, AS332M, and later developments consolidated into the EC225/H225 line by Eurocopter. Military versions paralleled conversions practiced with Westland Sea King and NHIndustries NH90 platforms for troop transport and medevac. Operators ranged from national air arms like the French Air and Space Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, Royal Air Force, and civilian fleets run by Bond Offshore Helicopters and CHC Helicopter.
The Super Puma experienced several high-profile accidents during its service life, provoking inquiries by authorities such as the London Air Accidents Investigation Branch and regulations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Notable incidents prompted grounding directives similar to those issued after events involving Sikorsky S-92 and led to design reviews by Safran and Airbus Helicopters. Investigations cited factors comparable to issues found in other rotorcraft accidents, inspiring updates in maintenance regimes observed in fleets operated by Norsk Luftambulanse and corporate operators.
General characteristics: - Crew: flight crew similar to complements used in Royal Air Force transport squadrons - Capacity: passengers or litter configurations used by United Nations peacekeeping rotations - Powerplant: twin Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines as in many European rotorcraft - Rotor: four/five-blade main rotor evolution tracked in studies at ONERA
Performance: - Cruise speed and range comparable to medium-lift types like the Sikorsky S-61 and Mil Mi-8 - Payload and endurance tuned for offshore support to service providers such as Bristow Group
In military service the Super Puma carried out tactical transport, search and rescue missions akin to those performed by Royal Navy helicopter flotillas, and was used for airborne command roles similar to missions of AgustaWestland AW101 variants. Civilian roles encompassed offshore crew transfer for companies like TotalEnergies and Statoil, medical evacuation tasks conducted by providers such as Norsk Luftambulanse, and VIP transport paralleling services by state operators worldwide.
Category:Helicopters