EC725 Caracal Super Cougar Eurocopter
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Eurocopter EC725 Super Cougar / Caracal Tactical transport helicopter
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The EC725 Super Cougar (also nammed Caracal) ) is a long-range tactical transport helicopter designed, developed and manufactured by the French aviation industry Eurocopter. Introduced in 2005, the EC725 has seen combat service worldwide, including in Afghanistan. Evolved from experience gained with the Cougar family, theEC725 is the latest version of this medium lift (11-ton class) helicopter. EC725 has operated from ships and ashore. It is a truly multi-purpose, versatile military asset. 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. Special Ops, Combat SAR and Personal Recovery require performance, precise navigation and survivability. In these, the EC725 is outstanding. The French Forces are successfully operating the EC725 in the harshest possible environment, in Afghanistan. The success of the EC725 demonstrated in Afghanistan, reflects the excellent capabilities of the EC725 as a Force Multiplier and how this aircraft can offer decisive tactical advantage to any operator. |
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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.
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The EC 725 is equipped with an all-glass cockpit with new avionics and a new integrated display system including a digital map. The display suite includes seven active matrix liquid crystal displays: four multi-function 6in×8in displays and two 4in×5in helicopter parameter displays. The displays can be configured to suit the operational requirements to present flight, navigation and mission parameters. The advanced helicopter cockpit and avionics system (AHCAS) includes an automatic flight control system developed by SAGEM, integrating the flight, navigation and tactical mission data. The EC725 is equipped with radar and FLIR (forward-looking infrared) for day and night-time search and rescue capability. The navigation suite includes Doppler radar, global positioning system and inertial navigation system. The search and rescue system can be programmed to provide automatic search patterns, transition and hover. |
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The EC725 is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A turboshaft engines, each providing 1,800kW power, an increase of 14% over the previous 1A2 engine version. Each engine, complete with systems and accessories is independent. An infrared suppression system is installed to reduce the thermal signature of the helicopter.
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The EC725 can carry side-firing armament such as two 7.62mm general purpose machine guns and a 20mm cannon. The helicopter can also be fitted with axial pods such as two 68mm rocket launchers or two 20mm cannons. The main fuel tanks, with a capacity of 2,539l, are installed under the floor of the cabin and in the lateral sponsons. Auxiliary tanks can be installed in the cargo hook well (capacity of 324l) or at the rear of the cabin (990l). The helicopter can be equipped with a probe for air-to-air refuelling.
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Video EC725 Super Cougar / Caracal Eurocopter tactical transport helicopter
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