Airbus Helicopters H215M / AS532 Cougar

Summary

Category	Helicopter
Origin country	🇩🇪 Germany 🇫🇷 France
First flight	1 September 1978
Year of introduction	1978
Number produced	408 units
Average unit price	$18 million

Description

The H215M Cougar is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter originally developed by the French aerospace company Aérospatiale, which later merged into Eurocopter and is now part of Airbus Helicopters. The H215M is a military variant of the civilian H215, which itself is a rebranded and updated version of the AS532. The AS532 is an evolution of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and was introduced in 1978.

The H215M Cougar has a conventional helicopter design with a few notable features. It is powered by two Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines, providing it with the capability for high-altitude and high-temperature operations. The main rotor system is a four-blade, fully articulated design made of composite materials for added durability and reduced weight. The tail rotor is also a multi-blade system, and the aircraft typically features a retractable tricycle landing gear for better aerodynamics. The fuselage is designed to accommodate a variety of modular configurations, allowing for its use in multiple roles like troop transport, medevac, and cargo hauling.

Operational history

The H215M Cougar has seen extensive operational service since its introduction. It has been adopted by numerous countries for a variety of roles, including troop transport, search and rescue, medevac, and utility missions. The helicopter has participated in a number of conflicts and peacekeeping operations, often proving its versatility and reliability under challenging conditions.

For example, the French Army deployed the H215M Cougar in various theaters, including the Balkans during the 1990s and more recently in Afghanistan and the Sahel region in Africa as part of anti-insurgency operations. Other countries, such as Switzerland and Brazil, have also utilized the AS532 Cougar for both domestic and international missions, including disaster relief efforts.

Variants

AS532 UL/AL: These are utility and logistics variants, often used for troop transport and cargo missions. The "UL" designates the unarmed version, while the "AL" is often fitted with weapons.
AS532 SC: This is the Search and Rescue (SAR) variant equipped with specialized sensors and equipment for locating and recovering personnel.
AS535: This is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version, equipped with sonobuoys, torpedoes, and other ASW equipment. It's less common than other variants.

Technical specifications

Version: AS532 AC Cougar
Crew	2 pilots
Operational range	573 km (356 mi)
Maximum speed	250 km/h (155 mph)
Wingspan	15.6 m (51.2 ft)
Height	4.8 m (15.7 ft)
Length	18.7 m (61.4 ft)
Service ceiling	4100 m (13451 ft)
Empty weight	4330 kg (9546 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	9000 kg (19842 lbs)
Climb rate	7.0 m/s (23.0 ft/s)
Powerplant	2 × turbines Turbomeca Makila 1A2 delivering 1185 kW

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Turkey	48
	South Africa	44
	Spain	41
	Saudi Arabia	33 (+3)
	Singapore	32
	France	29
	Switzerland	24
	Chile	17 (+18)
	Uzbekistan	15 (+1)
	Bulgaria	12 (+2)
	Greece	12
	Netherlands	12
	Indonesia	11
	Jordan	10
	Venezuela	10
	Brazil	8
	United Arab Emirates	8
	Bolivia	6
	Kuwait	5
	Nigeria	5
	Albania	4
	Slovenia	4
	Tanzania	4
	Ecuador	3
	Libya	3
	South Korea	3
	Mali	2
	Argentina	1
	Gabon	1
	Malawi	1
	Romania	0 (+15)