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Aérospatiale Puma

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SA 330 Puma

Westland Puma HC1 of the RAF
Type	Utility helicopter
Manufacturers	Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) Westland Aircraft
Maiden flight	1965-04-15
Introduced	1968
Primary users	Royal Air Force Various
Produced	1968-1987
Number built	697
Variants	Eurocopter Super Puma Atlas Oryx IAR 330

The Aérospatiale Puma is a medium-sized twin-engined transport/utility helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale of France. It is also known under the designation SA 330.

1 Development
2 Variants
- 2.1 Aérospatiale versions
- 2.2 Versions by other manufacturers
3 Operators
- 3.1 Military operators
- 3.2 Civil operators
4 Specifications (SA 330 Puma)
5 References
6 External links
7 Related content

Development

The SA 330 Puma was originally developed by Sud Aviation to meet a requirement of the French Army for a medium-sized all-weather helicopter. The helicopter also had to be capable of operating by day and night as well as in a wide variety of climates. In 1967, the Puma was also selected by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and given the designation Puma HC Mk.1. As a result of this decision, the SA 330 was included in a joint production agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland Helicopters of the UK. The first of two Puma prototypes flew on 15 April 1965. Six pre-production models were also built, the last of which flew on 30 July 1968. The first production SA 330 Puma flew in September 1968. Two years later, in 1970, Sud Aviation merged with Nord Aviation and SÉREB to form Aérospatiale, and the helicopter has been associated with that name ever since, though it still retained the "SA" (for "Sud Aviation") model designator. On 25 April 1978 the SA 330J Puma achieved the distinction of becaming the first helicopter outside the (then) Soviet Union to be certificated for all-weather operations, including icy conditions. Production of the SA 330 Puma by Aérospatiale ceased in 1987, by which time a total of 697 had been sold. The Puma was then replaced by an upgraded and improved version, the AS 332 Eurocopter Super Puma.

Variants

Portuguese Air Force Puma in support of a Space Shuttle Recovery Exercise at Lajes Field, Azores

Aérospatiale versions

SA 330 A: Prototypes, originally called "Alouette IV".
SA 330 B: Initial production version for the French Army Aviation.
SA 330 "Orchidee": SA 330 modified to carry an "Orchidee" surveillance system for the French Army.
SA 330 C: Initial export production version.
SA 330 E: Version produced by Westland Helicopters for the RAF under the designation HC Mk 1.
SA 330 F: Initial civilian export production version with Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 turboshaft engines.
SA 330 G: Upgraded civilian version with Turbomeca Turmo IVC engines and composite main rotor blades.
SA 330 H: Upgraded French Army and export version with Turbomeca IVC engines and composite main rotor blades. Designated SA 330B by the French Air Force.
SA 330 J: Upgraded civil transport version.
SA 330 L: Upgraded version for so-called "hot and high" conditions.
SA 330 S: Export version for the Portuguese Air Force.
SA 330 Z: Prototype with "fenestron" tail rotor.

Versions by other manufacturers

Atlas Aircraft Corporation Oryx: This is a remanufactured and upgraded SA 330 Puma built for the South African Air Force.
IPTN NAS 330 J: This is a version that was assembled by IPTN of Indonesia under the local designation NAS 330 J and the Aerospatiale designation of SA 330 J. Eleven units were produced.
ICA IAR 330: This is a licence-built version of the SA 330 Puma manufactured by ICA of Romania. Designated as the SA 330 L by Aerospatiale.
Westland Puma HC Mk.1: This is the SA 330 E version assembled by Westland Helicopters for the RAF.