H225M / EC725 Caracal
European long-range tactical transport military helicopter, featuring advanced avionics and systems, used for roles including troop transport and special operations.
| Crew | 1 pilot + 1 copilot |
| Length | 19.5 m (64.0 ft) |
| Wingspan | 16.2 m (53.1 ft) |
| Height | 4.6 m (15.1 ft) |
| Empty weight | 5,330 kg (11,751 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Turboméca Makila 2A1 turboshaft 1,776 kW each |
| Maximum speed | 324 km/h (201 mph) |
| Operational range | 930 km (578 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 6,100 m (20,013 ft) |
| Climb rate | 7.4 m/s (24.3 ft/s) |
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Brazil
40 +6
-
Kuwait
30
-
France
23 +8
-
Hungary
16
-
Mexico
15 +4
-
Indonesia
14 +2
-
Singapore
13 +3
-
Malaysia
12
-
Thailand
12
-
Taiwan
3
-
Iraq
2 +10
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Ecuador
2
-
Tanzania
2
-
Vietnam
2
-
Kazakhstan
0 +20
-
Netherlands
0 +12
1 loss recorded here in the Russia-Ukraine War.
Recent Events — H225M / EC725 Caracal
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Description
The Airbus Helicopters H225M, formerly designated the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, is a French long-range tactical transport military helicopter derived from the AS532 Cougar. Manufactured in France and Brazil, the twin-engined aircraft entered service with the French Air Force in February 2005. It is designed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue operations.
Development
The EC725 was developed to meet a French Air Force requirement for a dedicated combat search and rescue helicopter after trials of the AS 532 A2 Cougar between 1996 and 1999 were rejected. Initially named Cougar Mk II+, the aircraft featured new mission equipment, autonomous avionics, and more powerful engines. The first prototype completed its maiden flight at Marignane on 27 November 2000. Concurrently developed alongside the civilian EC225, the military model was later re-designated as the H225M, with production lines established in France and Brazil.
Design
The helicopter incorporates a five-blade composite main rotor, a reinforced main rotor gearbox, and an all-glass cockpit featuring active-matrix liquid-crystal displays and a digital map. Power is provided by two cabin-mounted Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines controlled by a dual-channel FADEC system. Depending on configuration, the cabin holds up to 29 seated troops, 12 stretchers for medical evacuation, or 8 to 12 passengers for VIP transport. Flight sensors include search radar and forward-looking infrared for day and night operations.
Armament
Defensive armament includes window-mounted 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns or side-mounted 68 mm rocket launchers, as well as the MU90 Impact aerial-launched torpedo. The HForce Generic Weapon System allows targeting of external gun pods, rocket pods, and Hellfire air-to-surface missiles via a Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted sight display and Wescam electro-optical sensor. Brazilian Navy variants integrate Exocet anti-ship missiles, and self-protection is provided by integrated chaff and flare countermeasures suites.
Operational History
French EC725s deployed to Cyprus in 2006 for civilian evacuations during Opération Baliste in Lebanon, followed by deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan, in December 2006. In April 2015, a Mexican Air Force EC725 made an emergency landing after its tail rotor was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during Operation Jalisco. Export customers for the type include Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands.
Variants
- HM-4: Brazilian Army designation for the EC725.
- AH-15: Brazilian Navy designation for an attack variant of the EC725.
- UH-15/UH-15A: Brazilian Navy designation for utility variants of the EC725.
- H-36: Brazilian Air Force designation for the EC725.
- VH-36: Brazilian Air Force designation for a VIP transport variant of the EC725.