Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma

Aérospatiale / Eurocopter / Airbus Helicopters
Company type	Aerospace manufacturer
Industry	Aerospace, Helicopter manufacturing
Predecessor	Aérospatiale
Founded	1970s
Headquarters	Various (France, Europe), France (originally)
Products	Helicopters (e.g. AS332 Super Puma, H215)
Parent	Airbus Group (for Airbus Helicopters)

The Airbus Helicopters H215—previously known as the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma—is a medium-sized utility helicopter featuring a twin-engine setup and a four-bladed rotor system. Originally developed and manufactured by the French aerospace firm Aérospatiale, production later continued under its successors Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters. This model represents a larger, re-engined evolution of the earlier Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma.

Conceived during the 1970s, the Super Puma maintained the fundamental layout of the SA 330 but introduced a redesigned fuselage aimed at improving crashworthiness and damage tolerance, incorporating greater use of composite materials. It was equipped with upgraded Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines, a more aerodynamic nose profile, and various refinements. From inception, two fuselage lengths were available: a standard shortened version and an extended one. The SA 331 preproduction prototype took flight for the first time on 5 September 1977, with the initial full Super Puma prototype following approximately one year later. By 1980, it had succeeded the SA 330 as Aérospatiale’s principal utility helicopter.

The Super Puma achieved significant commercial success among both military and civilian users. The French Army was an early adopter, utilizing it within rapid-response units deployed in operations across Africa and the Middle East. Licensed production was undertaken by Indonesian manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia. In civilian roles, it has been extensively employed for offshore oil rig logistics and aerial firefighting missions. Since 1990, military versions have been marketed under the name AS532 Cougar, while the civilian successor—the larger Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma—was launched in 2004.

Origins

In 1974, Aérospatiale initiated development of a medium transport helicopter derived from the SA 330 Puma platform. Revealed at the 1975 Paris Air Show, this new design preserved a similar configuration but incorporated two more powerful Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines alongside a redesigned four-bladed main rotor constructed from composite materials. The concept placed strong emphasis on damage resistance through features such as a reinforced fuselage, crashworthy landing gear, and rotor blades engineered to tolerate combat damage.

Externally, notable design elements included a ventral fin beneath the tail boom and a sleek nose contour. Two fuselage variants were planned: a short version maintaining SA 330 capacity with enhanced "hot and high" performance, and an extended variant designed for increased payload or passenger volume where weight constraints were less critical.

The preproduction SA 331, adapted from an SA 330 airframe fitted with Makila engines and an updated gearbox, completed its inaugural flight on 5 September 1977. The first complete Super Puma prototype followed on 13 September 1978, with five additional prototypes constructed subsequently. Flight testing demonstrated that the AS 332 Super Puma offered higher cruise speeds, extended range, and improved fuel efficiency—approximately 17% better than the SA 330—thanks to its more powerful engines. It also delivered enhanced stability with reduced dependence on automatic flight controls. Development of both military and civilian versions proceeded concurrently, with the first civil Super Puma delivered in 1981.

Manufacturing and advancements

By 1980, the AS 332 Super Puma had succeeded the SA 330 as Aérospatiale's principal utility helicopter. It rapidly gained widespread acceptance; from July 1981 through April 1987, production rates averaged approximately three units monthly for both military and commercial clients. This strong demand prompted the development of enhanced variants featuring extended rotor blades, upgraded engines and gearboxes, higher maximum takeoff weights, and updated avionics systems.

Production under license was also initiated internationally, with Indonesian Aerospace (IPTN) producing both SA 330 and AS 332 models for local use and export purposes. Specialized versions emerged thereafter, including those tailored for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions and antisubmarine warfare (ASW). Starting in 1990, military versions of the Super Puma were marketed under the AS532 Cougar designation. A Mark III iteration of the Super Puma was once proposed as a contingency option for the NHIndustries NH90 project. By 2005, more than 565 units of Super Pumas and Cougars had been delivered or ordered by operators in 38 countries, fulfilling a wide range of roles.

In February 2012, Eurocopter launched a cost-effective basic Super Puma model aimed at competing with helicopters such as the Russian Mil Mi-17; Starlite Aviation became the inaugural customer for the AS 332 C1e variant. Later, in November 2015, Airbus Helicopters relocated final assembly of the AS 332 Super Puma (renamed H215) to a new plant in Brașov, Romania. This move sought to streamline production timelines and reduce expenses by adopting a unified baseline configuration adaptable to both military and civilian applications.

Design

The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is classified as a medium-weight utility helicopter powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines that drive a four-bladed main rotor along with a five-bladed tail rotor. The aircraft’s hydraulic system is dual-redundant, supported by electrical alternators. Fuel is stored internally across six tanks, with options for auxiliary or external tanks to extend operational range. Safety measures include crash-resistant fuel lines and fire detection and suppression systems within the engine compartment. The monocoque tail boom incorporates protection against tail rotor strikes and contains a dedicated luggage area. The retractable tricycle landing gear is engineered for high energy absorption during landings.

Access to the cabin is provided through sliding plug doors, with an adaptable floor plan suitable for passenger transport or cargo carriage, including medical evacuation setups. According to Airbus Helicopters, the short-fuselage AS332 can accommodate up to fifteen passengers plus two crew members, while the extended fuselage variant increases this capacity to twenty occupants. Passenger comfort is enhanced through sound-insulating upholstery and independent heating and ventilation systems. Twelve jettisonable windows double as emergency exits, with optional flotation devices available to provide buoyancy. Additionally, a floor hatch allows access to cargo sling poles and storage compartments for airborne equipment.

Flight control systems incorporate four dual-body servo actuators managing cyclic, collective pitch, and tail rotor pitch inputs. These are supplemented by a duplex digital autopilot system and dual pilot flight controls within the cockpit. Instrumentation features include four multifunctional LCD displays, redundant standby instruments (ISIS), and a vehicle monitoring system (VMS). Subsequent avionics upgrades have further improved operational safety. Third-party providers offer enhancements such as integrated flight management systems, GPS navigation receivers, digital mapping solutions, flight data recorders, collision avoidance alerts, night vision compatibility, and multiple radio communication setups.

A maritime version supports anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations through corrosion-resistant coatings, a folding tail rotor boom for shipboard storage, deck-landing assistance systems, sonar arrays, and a nose-mounted Omera search radar. Since 1987, this variant has been capable of carrying Exocet anti-ship missiles to engage surface targets.

Operational history

In August 1983, the French government established the rapid-response Force d'Action Rapide, allocating up to 30 Super Pumas to support operations abroad, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. During the Rwandan genocide in June 1994, these helicopters played a vital role by providing essential rotary-wing transport for French forces advancing into Rwanda.

During the 1980s, the French Army investigated integrating an airborne battlefield surveillance radar system known as "Orchidée" onto the Super Puma. This system incorporated a pulse-Doppler radar capable of 360° scanning and transmitting real-time data to ground stations. However, this project was discontinued in 1990 due to defense budget reductions following the Cold War’s conclusion.

Indonesia has been a prominent operator; the state-owned PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) obtained a license to manufacture Super Pumas domestically. Initially, PT DI assembled helicopters imported from Europe but gradually increased its production role and collaboration with Eurocopter. The Indonesian Air Force placed an order for 16 Super Pumas in 1989 to replace Sikorsky S-58Ts but had only received seven by 2008 due to financial limitations. A further 16 units were ordered for VIP transport purposes, with seven delivered by 2008; all of these were manufactured locally by PT DI.

Switzerland acquired fifteen AS 332M1 Super Pumas ("TH89") and subsequently added eleven AS 532UL Cougars ("TH98") to its fleet. The "TH06" program initiated in 2006 upgraded earlier Super Puma models with advanced avionics developed by RUAG, achieving performance levels comparable to or exceeding those of the Cougar. The Swiss Air Force primarily employs these helicopters for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. They have also been deployed internationally for humanitarian missions, including firefighting efforts in Greece during August 2021.

Sweden procured twelve Super Pumas in 1988 for domestic use and overseas medical evacuation missions in Afghanistan. The Swedish Air Force retired its final Super Puma in October 2015, replacing them with NHIndustries NH90 and Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Six decommissioned units were refurbished and sold to other operators.

Nigeria upgraded several older Puma helicopters to larger Super Pumas in 1990 and purchased five used units from France in 2009 for peacekeeping and surveillance tasks within the Niger Delta region. By 2015, Nigeria had acquired armed Super Pumas for counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram. In 2000, two helicopters were deployed to Cross River State to enhance surveillance and firepower near Bakassi.

In the late 1990s, the Hellenic Air Force sought modern search-and-rescue helicopters to replace aging Agusta Bell AB-205s amid ongoing tensions with Turkey. Greece signed a contract with Eurocopter in 1998 for four AS-332 C1 Super Pumas and continued acquiring additional units through 2011 for combat search and rescue (CSAR) duties. These helicopters are equipped with four-axis autopilot systems, navigation and mission computers, FLIR turrets, search radars, anti-icing systems, hoists, searchlights, loudspeakers, and MEDEVAC configurations.

The Spanish Air Force extensively operated Super Pumas between 2005 and 2011 during the Afghanistan conflict, providing critical CSAR and MEDEVAC capabilities before withdrawing them in November 2013. Domestically, they were also utilized for firefighting missions. Spain began replacing its fleet with NH90 helicopters, receiving the first delivery in 2020.

Brazil’s Air Force designated modified Super Pumas as VH-34 for presidential transport roles; these aircraft could accommodate up to fifteen passengers plus crew. The VH-34 was eventually supplemented and replaced by the VH-36 (EC725). French presidents such as François Mitterrand have also used military Super Pumas for official travel. In 2008, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was transported by a Super Puma during a visit to Iraq.

Super Pumas have demonstrated their effectiveness as offshore support helicopters within the North Sea oil sector. Major civilian operators include Bristow Helicopters with at least thirty units as of 2005 and CHC Helicopters operating a fleet of fifty-six by 2014. Iran acquired at least seven Indonesian-built models during the 1990s for offshore oil operations. Brazil’s Petrobras utilizes them to support remote oil platforms. China’s largest civilian helicopter operator, CITIC Offshore Helicopter, maintains a significant Super Puma fleet. Germany’s Federal Police operated at least nineteen units as of 2018.

The Finnish Border Guard employs AS332 L1 Super Pumas equipped for maritime surveillance and SAR missions throughout Finland. These aircraft feature forward-looking infrared (FLIR), four-axis autopilot systems, and de-icing capabilities. Older Finnish helicopters have undergone modernization to H215 standards at facilities in Romania since the late 2010s.

By 2014, Airbus Helicopters reported delivering roughly 890 Super Puma/Cougar family helicopters across fifty-six countries worldwide. As of 2015, military orders accounted for approximately 187 units from nations including Argentina (29), Spain (30), Indonesia (33), Singapore (22), and Greece (12).

In November 2017, Romania announced intentions to purchase up to sixteen helicopters from the Airbus-IAR consortium, with an initial payment planned that year toward four aircraft.

Variants

SA 331 – Prototype developed from the SA 330 frame, with its maiden flight on 5 September 1977
AS 332A – Commercial preproduction model
AS 332B – Military configuration
AS 332B1 – Initial military subtype
AS 332C – Civilian production model
AS 332C1 – Search and rescue (SAR) variant equipped with search radar and space for six stretchers
AS 332F – Military version designed for antisubmarine and antiship roles
AS 332F1 – Naval-specific model
AS 332L – Civilian version featuring enhanced engines, extended fuselage, larger cabin, and increased fuel capacity
AS 332L1 – Lengthened civilian variant outfitted with airline-style interior
AS 332L2 Super Puma Mk 2 – Civil transport equipped with Spheriflex rotor head and EFIS avionics
AS 332M – Military adaptation of the AS 332L
AS 332M1 – Stretched military model
NAS 332 – Licensed assembly produced by IPTN (now Indonesian Aerospace PT DI)
UH-14 – Brazilian Navy designation for the AS 332F
CH-34 – Brazilian Air Force designation for the AS 332M
VH-34 – Brazilian Air Force VIP-configured AS 332M1
H.9 – Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the AS 332L2

Civilian

Civilian operators
Country	Operators
Azerbaijan	Azerbaijan Airlines
Brazil	Petrobras
Canada	CHC Helicopter
China	CITIC Offshore Helicopter
Germany	German Federal Police
Greece	Hellenic Fire Service (operates two AS332L.1s)
Hong Kong	Government Flying Service
Iceland	Icelandic Coast Guard
Japan	Japan Coast Guard Tokyo Fire Department
Norway	Lufttransport
Serbia	Serbian Police
Ukraine	State Emergency Service of Ukraine
United Kingdom	Bond Offshore Helicopters Bristow Helicopters CHC Scotia
United States	Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Vietnam	Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company

Military

Military operators
Country	Operators
Albania	Albanian Air Force
Argentina	Argentine Army Aviation
Bolivia	Bolivian Air Force
Brazil	Brazilian Air Force Brazilian Naval Aviation
Chile	Chilean Navy
Ecuador	Ecuadorian Army
Finland	Finnish Border Guard
France	French Air and Space Force
Gabon	Gabonese Air Force
Georgia	Ministry of Defense
Greece	Hellenic Air Force
Indonesia	Indonesian Air Force
Jordan	Royal Jordanian Air Force
Kuwait	Kuwait Air Force
Lebanon	Lebanese Air Force
Mali	Mali Air Force
Morocco	Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
Nigeria	Nigerian Air Force
Oman	Royal Air Force of Oman
Saudi Arabia	Royal Saudi Navy
South Korea	Republic of Korea Air Force
Spain	Spanish Air and Space Force
Switzerland	Swiss Air Force
United Kingdom	Royal Air Force
Ukraine	National Guard of Ukraine
Uzbekistan	Uzbekistan Air Force
Venezuela	Venezuelan Air Force

Previous Users

Previous Users
Nation	Operators
Cameroon	Cameroon Air Force
China	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Congolese Democratic Air Force
Indonesia	Indonesian Navy
Japan	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Sweden	Swedish Air Force
Thailand	Royal Thai Air Force
Singapore	Republic of Singapore Air Force
Togo	Togolese Air Force

Significant Accidents and Incidents

16 July 1988 – A Helikopter Service AS AS332 L experienced a forced water landing in the North Sea caused by severe vibrations from a detached metal strip on a main rotor blade. Everyone on board survived.
14 March 1992 – The helicopter G-TIGH crashed into the North Sea near the East Shetland Basin, resulting in 11 fatalities out of 17 passengers.
19 January 1995 – G-TIGK, operating as Bristow Helicopters Flight 56C, was forced to ditch following a major lightning strike; there were no casualties, but the aircraft was declared a total loss.
18 January 1996 – The AS332 L1 registered LN-OBP from Helikopter Service AS ditched in the North Sea; all occupants survived and the helicopter remained afloat for three days.
18 March 1996 – LN-OMC, an AS332 operated by Airlift, crashed near Wijdefjorden without any loss of life.
8 September 1997 – Helikopter Service Flight 451, involving AS332 L1 LN-OPG, suffered a main gearbox failure en route to the Norne oil field, causing a fatal crash that claimed all twelve onboard. Eurocopter implemented some recommendations from the AAIB.
11 August 2000 – A Swedish Air Force AS332M1 crashed during a mountain rescue hoisting operation; all three crew members perished. Poor visibility was likely a contributing factor.
18 November 2003 – During a nighttime hoist exercise near Rörö, a Swedish Air Force AS332M1 crashed into the sea, resulting in six deaths and one survivor. The accident was attributed to inadequate flight attitude awareness amid adverse weather conditions.
21 November 2006 – An Eurocopter AS332 L2 SAR helicopter made an emergency water landing in the North Sea; both life rafts failed to deploy properly, leading to a warning from the Dutch Safety Board.
1 April 2009 – An AS332L2 operated by Bond Offshore Helicopters crashed into the North Sea off Aberdeenshire with sixteen people aboard; there were no survivors. The AAIB identified catastrophic failure of the main rotor gearbox epicyclic module as the cause.
11 November 2011 – Mexico’s Presidential Air Transport Unit’s XC-UHP AS332-L Super Puma crashed near Amecameca, killing Interior Secretary Francisco Blake Mora and seven others.
21 March 2013 – A German Federal Police Eurocopter EC155 collided with a Super Puma during landing under whiteout conditions near Berlin’s Olympic Stadium; one pilot died and several others were injured.
23 August 2013 – The Super Puma L2 G-WNSB lost airspeed during a low approach and ditched into the North Sea west of Sumburgh Airport. Four passengers died despite flotation devices deploying and keeping the aircraft afloat. The AAIB found no mechanical faults; cockpit voice and flight data recorders were recovered for investigation.
28 September 2016 – A Swiss Air Force Super Puma collided with a power line shortly after takeoff near Saint Gothard Pass; both pilots were killed and the loadmaster sustained injuries. The helicopter was destroyed by fire. Investigations cleared the pilots of any fault.

External Resources

Official Airbus page for the H215