GKN Aerospace to upgrade UK RAF Puma fuel tanks
Source: GKN Aerospace, 27-Mar-13
GKN Aerospace has been contracted by Eurocopter UK to develop upgraded fuel tanks as part of the UK RAF’s life extension programme (LEP) for its fleet of Puma helicopters. The new self-sealing fuel tanks will enhance the helicopter’s survivability in today’s theatres of operation, providing extended protection for the crew against weapons such as heavy [...]
Heli-One signs 13-year contract to service RAF Puma engines
Source: Heli-One, 12-Feb-13
On Feb. 7 Lars Landsnes from Heli-One, joined Ian Craddock, head of helicopters for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), to sign a multi-million pound, 13-year contract to provide long-term logistic support for the Makila 1A1 engines fitted in new Puma HC2 helicopters used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The RAF fleet of 24 [...]
UK military awards CAE two simulator contracts
Source: CAE, 05-Feb-13
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently awarded CAE two contracts for simulator upgrades and training services at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF). A contract to provide both ground school and simulator aircrew training services at MSHATF for the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the Puma HC2 helicopter has been [...]
Engineering success at RAF Odiham
Source: Royal Air Force, 13-Jan-13
Warrants Officer Dave Woodhead, 7 Squadron Warrant Officer Engineering, was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours. Warrant Officer Woodhead has shown over 35 years of exceptional dedication, leadership and devotion to duty. During this time he has deployed to numerous operations and has been previously recognised with various Commendations. Due to his innovative [...]
Eurocopter hands over first Puma Mk2 to UK military
Source: Eurocopter, 13-Sep-12
The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a further major step forward yesterday when Eurocopter handed over its first Puma Mk2 aircraft to MOD. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly from Oxford into QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility where it will [...]
RAF Pumas arrive at Territorial Army Centre for Olympics role
Source: Royal Air Force, 16-Jul-12
RAF Puma helicopters have arrived at Ilford Territorial Army Centre as they prepare for a key role providing air security for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The aircraft from 33 Squadron, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, are part of a multi-layered air security plan. These additional security measures build on the RAF’s existing air [...]
Major milestone achieved on Eurocopter’s Puma Mk2 upgrade program for RAF
Source: Eurocopter, 09-Jul-12
The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a major step forward last week with Eurocopter completing its first internal qualification of the Puma Mk2 aircraft. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly into the UK in the coming weeks to conclude [...]
Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie recognized for 50 years of Eurocopter operations
Source: Eurocopter, 09-Apr-12
Five decades of Eurocopter helicopter operations by the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie were celebrated today at the 2012 Marrakech Air Show, where a commemorative plaque was presented to the military service. The Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie Air Squadron operates a fleet of Eurocopter rotorcraft that covers the company’s product range, with an inventory including SA3130 Alouette II, [...]
South African Air Force Museum adds two helicopters
Source: Unofficial SAAF Website, 22-Feb-12
The SAAF Museum has acquired two new exhibits that symbolise the technological prowess of the South African aeronautical industry in the late twentieth century. First to arrive at the Museum at Zwartkop, Centurion, on Friday 11 February was an Aerospatiale SA-330L Puma (serial 190). The medium-transport Puma was a stalewart of the airforce from the [...]
03-Feb-12 ZS-RUH Eurocopter SA330 Pristina, Serbia
03-Feb-12
Power loss during takeoff, ground impact
RAF celebrates 40 years of Puma ops
Source: Royal Air Force, 30-Sep-11
The Royal Air Force Puma helicopter officially celebrates its 40th anniversary today; with the first aircraft having undertaken its first operational flight on 29th September 1971. Video of Puma in Action The Puma helicopter, currently serving with 33 and 230 Squadrons at RAF Benson, has seen stalwart Service over its forty year career, deploying on [...]
First flight of upgraded Royal Air Force Puma Mk2
Source: Eurocopter, 24-Jun-11
The first upgraded Puma Mk2 helicopter developed by Eurocopter in a life extension programme for the UK’s Royal Air Force performed its initial flight this week from Eurocopter’s facility at Marignane, France. It is the first helicopter to be modified under the Puma Life Extension Programme, which was approved by the UK Ministry of Defence [...]
Three seriously hurt in Puma crash win £1M damages case against UK MoD
Source: Daily Record, 26-Oct-10
The MoD have accepted liability, but the exact settlement has yet to be decided. The men are suing for “injury, loss and damage”. The accident happened in August 2007 during low-level flight near the Army’s Catterick base.
Grintek Ewation wins major South African EW maintenance deal
Source: defenceWeb, 01-Oct-10
Grintek Ewation has been awarded a R23 859 454 contract to maintain its electronic warfare (EW) and communication intelligence systems aboard the Denel Oryx medium utility helicopter and Douglas C47TP Dhttp://www.helihub.com/wordpress/wp-admin/post-new.phpakota aircraft.
UAE and Lebanon’s military bond becomes stronger
Source: The National, 28-Sep-10
Ali al Matroushi, a member of Federal National Council’s defence committee, said: “The UAE has a special relationship with Lebanon.” That relationship extends back many years: the UAE Armed Forces took part in mine-clearing operations in Lebanon during the 1980s and mid-2000s, he said.
Military contract fears put 100 jobs at risk at Eurocopter UK
Source: Oxford Mail, 27-Sep-10
Directors at Eurocopter UK, based at Oxford Airport, admitted there is now a 50% chance of the contract to overhaul and upgrade 30 Pumas for the RAF being scrapped, even though work has already started.
Eurocopter may relocate part of its activities from Romania to UK
01-Sep-10
The source says Eurocopter believes that moving a 300 million pound contract back to the UK would may be accomplished without an impact on price.
CAE to upgrade British Puma simulator and training services
Source: CAE, 18-Jun-10
CAE today announced it has won several recent military contracts valued at more than C$100 million, including a contract to perform a major upgrade to the Puma helicopter training program at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) in the United Kingdom as well as a contract to build a new C-130H simulator for [...]
Portuguese Air Force Pumas mark 40 years of service
Source: Rotorhub, 11-Oct-09
The Pumas of 752 Squadron, Portuguese Air Force have celebrated 40 years of service and 70,000 flight hours.
South African Air Force Oryx comms upgrade underway
Source: DefenceWeb, 02-Oct-09
The upgrade of the on-board communication and navigation systems of the Denel M1 Oryx medium helicopter is underway at Denel Aviation’s Kempton Park facility as part of the South African Air Force’s Project Drummer.
Eurocopter and UK military sign Contract for Royal Air Force Puma Life Extension Programme
Source: Eurocopter, 30-Sep-09
Eurocopter UK Ltd. and the British Ministry of Defence signed a contract on September 18 for the Life Extension Programme for 28 of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters. The upgraded Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC.2, will consequently offer significantly enhanced performance and operational capabilities, thus being capable of remaining [...]
UK military urged to back AgustaWestland’s Merlin – rather than take Puma to Romania
Source: This is the West Country, 27-Jun-09
RAF Puma upgrade by Eurocopter Romania stalled amid fears of voter backlash
Source: Times, 27-May-09
The work on the 33 Pumas is expected to be done by Eurocopter Romania, but MPs are worried about the reaction of voters amid rising unemployment in Britain. The Government is said to favour switching the £250 million to £400 million contract from Eurocopter to AgustaWestland, which would upgrade the Royal Navy’s Sea Kings instead [...]
Puma helicopter maintenance base could be set up at IAR Ghimbav, Romania
Source: Financiarul, 21-May-09
UK Military Close To Deal With Eurocopter for Puma Fleet Refurbishment
Source: Financial Times, 16-Feb-09
The Ministry of Defence is close to agreeing a contract worth more than £400m with Eurocopter to extend the life of Puma transport helicopters being flown by the Royal Air Force in Afghanistan.
