Aérospatiale Puma
The
Aérospatiale Puma is a medium-sized twin-engined transport/utility
helicopter originally manufactured by
Aérospatiale of
France. It is also known under the designation SA 330.
The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Aérospatiale to meet a requirement of the
French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. The helicopter also had to be capable of operating by day and night as well as in a wide variety of climates.
In 1967, the Puma was also selected by the
Royal Air Force (RAF) and given the designation
Puma HC Mk.1. As a result of this decision, the SA 330 was included in a joint production agreement between Aerospatiale and
Westland Helicopters of the UK.
The first of two Puma prototypes flew on
15 April 1965. Six pre-production models were also built, the last of which flew on
30 July 1968.
The first production SA 330 Puma flew in September 1968. On
25 April 1978 the SA 330J Puma achieved the distinction of becaming the first helicopter outside the (then)
Soviet Union to be certificated for all-weather operations, including icy conditions.
Production of the SA 330 Puma by Aerospatiale ceased in 1987, by which time a total of 697 had been sold. The Puma was then replaced by an upgraded and improved version, the AS 332
Eurocopter Super Puma.
Variants of this helicopter were also manufactured, assembled or licence-built by the
Atlas Aircraft Corporation of
South Africa (the
Atlas Oryx),
ICA of
Romania and
IPTN of
Indonesia.
The SA 330 Puma is one of the most widely used helicopter types in the world. Versions of this helicopter are or were in service with the armed forces of the following countries:
*
Argentina*
Brazil*
Cameroon*
Chile*
Côte d'Ivoire*
Ecuador*
Ethiopia*
France*
Gabon*
Greece*
Guinea (1 helicopter)
*
Indonesia*
Iraq*
Kenya*
Kuwait*
Lebanon*
Malawi*
Mexico*
Morocco*
Nepal*
Nigeria*
Pakistan*
Philippines*
Portugal*
Romania*
Senegambia*
South Africa*
Spain*
Sudan*
Togo*
United Arab Emirates*
United Kingdom*
Zaire The Puma is also operated by several civilian operators.
 |
Westland Puma HC1 of the RAF |
Aérospatiale versions
* SA 330 A: Prototypes, originally called "Alouette IV".
* SA 330 B: Initial production version for the
French Army Aviation.
* SA 330 "Orchidee": SA 330 modified to carry an "Orchidee" surveillance system for the French Army.
* SA 330 C: Initial export production version.
* SA 330 E: Version produced by Westland Helicopters for the RAF under the designation HC Mk 1.
* SA 330 F: Initial civilian export production version with
Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 turboshaft engines.
* SA 330 G: Upgraded civilian version with Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines and composite main rotor blades.
* SA 330 H: Upgraded French Army and export version with Turbomeca IVC engines and composite main rotor blades. Designated SA 330B by the Frence Air Force.
* SA 330 J: Upgraded civil transport version.
* SA 330 L: Upgraded version for so-called "hot and high" conditions.
* SA 330 S: Export version for the Portuguese Air Force.
* SA 330 Z: Prototype with "fenestron" tail rotor.
Versions by other manufacturers
* Atlas Aircraft Corporation
Oryx: This is a remanufactured and upgraded SA 330 Puma built for the
South African Air Force.
* ICA
IAR 330 L: This is a licence-built version of the SA 330 Puma manufactured by ICA of
Romania. Designated as the SA 330 L by Aerospatiale.
* IPTN NAS 330 J: This is a version that was assembled by IPTN of
Indonesia under the local designation NAS 330 J and the Aerospatiale designation of SA 330 J. Eleven units were produced.
* Westland Puma HC Mk. 1: This is the SA 330 E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF.
The Puma can be seen as a modified
Mi-24 Hind in
Rambo: First Blood Part II and
Rambo III{{aircontent
related=
* Atlas Oryx
* Denel Aviation AH-2 Rooivalk
* Eurocopter Cougar
* Eurocopter Super Puma | similar aircraft=
*Mil Mi-8 | sequence= | see also= | lists=
* List of helicopters
* List of utility aircraft
* List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
| 
