AS 532 U2/A2
COUGAR

From the Internet DJ takes out a report on AS 532 U2/A2 Cougar family of twin engine helicopters

The Eurocopter Company have developed the Cougar family of twin engine helicopters, of which more than 350 have been ordered. The helicopter is in service with 28 air forces, eight armies and five navies. As well as the AS 532 A2 Combat SAR search and rescue helicopter, there are two other versions of the twin engine Cougar helicopter: the AS532 Horizon, a state-of-the-art ground surveillance system operated with a ground station, and the AS532 UB/AB, a simplified and economical utility version of the Cougar.

THE SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTER

Eurocopter's Combat Search and Rescue helicopter has been selected by the armed forces of France and Saudi Arabia.

In order to locate survivors, air crew are provided with a Personnel Locator System, PLS, which is based on an encrypted communications homing system. This communicates with the Nadir Mark 2 navigation computer which selects the navigation mode according to the phase of the search and rescue mission and controls the integrated flight display which is presented on four flat screens. The Integrated Flight Display System, IFDS, includes a 4-axis autopilot which covers the search and rescue functions. The Nadir Mark 2 navigation computer supplied by Sextant Avionique interfaces to the positional and navigation equipment on the helicopter, the global positioning system, the inertial navigation, Doppler radar, the VHF omnidirectional radio range equipment (VOR), Tacan tactical air navigation (TACAN), and distance measuring equipment (DME).

In the case where search and rescue missions are carried out at night, the crew use third generation night vision goggles, (NVG). The Mk2 Cougar aircraft cockpit and cabin area is night vision goggle compatible.

For the detection phase of the search and rescue mission the Cougar is equipped with observation domes to the cabin doors, searchlight, forward looking infra-red sensor (FLIR) and panoramic view detection radar with homing and Personnel Location System functions.

These features enable the helicopter to locate and reach the pick-up zone very quickly even under adverse weather conditions. In search and rescue missions involving pick-up from the sea, higher operating modes of the helicopter's autopilot are used and manoeuvres in transition and hovering flight are performed automatically. The digital autopilot, PA 165 from SFIM, incorporates redundant architecture for high efficiency and safety.

LONG RANGE MISSIONS

For very long range missions the Combat Search and Rescue helicopter can carry auxiliary fuel tanks in the cargo hook well,

sponson tanks, cabin floor tanks and up to five ferry tanks. This enables the helicopter to rescue two people in distress at a range of 500 nautical miles and return to base without in-flight refuelling. Ground refuelling during a mission can be carried out using flexible tanks air-dropped on the route by aircraft or helicopter and fitted with locator beacons. Refuelling can also be carried out while hovering above a ship. An in-flight refuelling capability is being developed by Eurocopter.

STEALTH

The Eurocopter consortium and the French research centre, ONERA worked in co-operation on the jet exhaust deflectors/diluters, low infra-red reflectance paint, low radar reflectance surfaces etc., and reducing the acoustic, radar and infra-red signatures of the helicopter.

COUNTERMEASURES

The search and rescue helicopter is fitted with a radar warner and a missile launch warning system. The helicopter also has radar and infra-red jammers and a chaff and flare decoy system.

WEAPONS

The aircraft is equipped with two outboard 20 mm cannon, pod mounted rockets and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

STRUCTURE

The helicopter has a high level of crashworthiness and survivability including impact tolerance and redundancy in vital systems and components, for example in the autopilot, flight control, and in the electrical, fuel and hydraulic systems. The occupants of the helicopter are protected up to impact velocities of 11.4 m/sec. The fuel tanks are self-sealing in the event they are pierced by projectiles. A fuel crossfeed system provides continuity of supply if one of the fuel circuits fail.

The main rotor and the tail rotor are equipped with high reliability, high impact tolerance Spheriflex hubs which have unlubricated metal anti-friction bearings. The rotors are tolerant to impact from rounds from 20 mm cannon and 12.7 mm machine guns. The gearboxes are capable of running for 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes without lubrication.

The helicopter is fitted with a 272 kg capacity rescue hoist and an external sling. The enlarged sponsons provide additional stowage for carrying extra fuel, life rafts, floats or other equipment. The helicopter is equipped with emergency flotation gear for over-water missions.

The AS 532 Cougar has an exceptionally large cabin volume for a 10 tonne class helicopter which enables it to airlift stretchers, medical equipment and rescue personnel such as winch operators, doctors and paramedics.

ENGINES

The Cougar is equipped with two Turbomeca Makila 1A2 engines. The engines provide a maximum continuous power of 1240 kW and are able to maintain their maximum take-off power of 1380 kW for five minutes. Centrisep multipurpose air intakes are provided for operations in high dust/particulate or desert conditions. The helicopter has single-engine flight capability. The efficiency of the rotors and the fast responsiveness of the flight controls provide the helicopter with a high degree of manoeuvrability.

MAINTAINABILITY

Two examples of the high level of maintainability are that an engine replacement in the field takes just 35 minutes and a blade replacement requires just two mechanics. The helicopter has an integrated Health and Usage Monitoring System, HUMS, which records the engine and mechanical parameters in flight. The helicopter has an integrated Health and Usage Monitoring System, HUMS, which records the engine and mechanical parameters in flight.