Eurocopter EC 725

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.

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.

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 chaff/flare dispenser.

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.

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.

Operators

• French Air Force - 6 in service for combat search & rescue missions.
• French Army - 8 in service with the Air Corps for special operations.
• Brazilian Government has announced that a Helibras factory will produce at least 50 units of the most updated Super Cougar (EC 725). First units will be operational in 2010.
• Royal Malaysian Air Force - The Malaysian Government intends to buy 12 units to replace their aging Sikorsky S-61 Sea King.

Specifications (Cougar EC 725)

{{aircraft specifications

|plane or copter?=copter |jet or prop?=prop

|ref= {Eurocopter.com}

|crew=1 or 2 (pilot + co-pilot) |capacity=1 chief of stick + 28 troop seats |length main=19.50 m |length alt=63.98 ft |span main=16.20 m |span alt=53.14 ft |height main=4.60 m |height alt=15.09 ft |area main= |area alt= |empty weight main=5,330 kg |empty weight alt=11,750 lb |loaded weight main=11,000 kg |loaded weight alt=24,250 lb |useful load main=5,670 kg |useful load alt=12,500 lb |max takeoff weight main=11,200 kg |max takeoff weight alt=24,700 lb

|engine (prop)=Turbomeca Makila 1A4 |type of prop=turboshafts |number of props=2 |power main= 1,800 kW |power alt= 2,413 shp |power original=

|never exceed speed main=324 km/h, 201 mph |never exceed speed alt=175 kts |max speed main=324 km/h, 201 mph |max speed alt=175 kts |cruise speed main=285 km/h, 177 mph |cruise speed alt=154 kts |stall speed main= |stall speed alt= |range main= 857 km, 532 mi |range alt= 463 nm |max range main=1,325 km, 823 mi |max range alt=716 nm |ceiling main=6,095 m |ceiling alt=20,000 ft |climb rate main=3.6 m/s |climb rate alt=710 ft/min }}

References

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

See also