Ten EC 725 Helicopters for the French Special Forces

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-12-02 AT 04:46 PM (GMT)]I understand that this order is for DAOS at Pau and is NOT connected to the
EC 725 order recently announced for the Adl’A Combat-SAR unit at Cazaux. It
had been mooted that the DAOS requirement was for “at least eight” so it
looks like some more money has been found from the defence budget to fund
another pair.

Steve / Touchdown-News

Eurocopter Receives Notification of a Contract for 10 EC 725 Helicopters for
the French Special Forces

MARIGNANE, France—In late November 2002, the SPAé (French Aeronautical
Production Agency), acting on behalf of the French General Delegation for
Armaments (DGA), notified Eurocopter of a contract for the supply of 10
medium-sized EC 725 helicopters to the French Special Forces.

The contract, which is worth 271 million euros, covers the helicopters,
general customisation costs, and support services.

Delivery of the first EC 725 is set for late 2004, with the follow-on
deliveries spread out over 2005 and 2006.

With this contract notification, the EC 725/225 order book now totals 18
machines.

The latest newcomer to the Cougar range benefits not only from the operating
experience of its predecessors, but also from major technical upgrades.

The French Air Force – the EC 725 launch customer – has announced a current
need for 14 of these helicopters to fly Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR)
missions for the French Armed Forces.

This new medium-sized twin is in the 11-ton class, and exists in a military
(EC 725) and a civil (EC 225) version. It first flew in November 2000 and
offers much higher performance, with a military payload and a radius of
action substantially higher than on the Cougar Mk 2.

Compared to the Cougar MK2, the EC 725 has a brand new, 5-bladed Spheriflex
main rotor, a strengthened main gearbox, a new Turbomeca Makila 1A2 based
powerplant, and a new integrated piloting and display system. The powerplant
has an emergency rating of 1,800 kW (2,448 hp, 2,413 shp), 14% higher than
the previous engine version. Eurocopter retained the Cougar Mk2 airframe for
the EC 725 because of its proven in-service record, and the high-performance
equipment and optional items that are available.

To date, a total of 652 helicopters from the Super Puma/EC 225-Cougar/EC 725
family have been ordered by 85 customers in 47 countries.

All you need to know about French Army Aviation at ALAT 2002

http://members.lycos.co.uk/alat2002

An unofficial site devoted to the “Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre”

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