Tue, Jun 28, 2011
Program Intended To Extend Helo's Operations Life
The first upgraded Puma Mk2 helicopter developed by Eurocopter
in a life extension program for the UK's Royal Air Force performed
its initial flight last week from Eurocopter's facility at
Marignane, France. It is the first helicopter to be modified under
the Puma Life Extension Program, which was approved by the UK
Ministry of Defence in September 2009 and placed on contract with
Eurocopter UK.
This program will extend the
operational life of the Puma helicopter fleet and is to
significantly enhance its capability - particularly in demanding
hot and high conditions. It will improve the safety and performance
by providing new engines, a digital flight control system,
increased platform survivability and enhanced navigation and
communications.
"The Puma Mk2's first flight is an important milestone, marking
the initial step in a test program that will continue through the
second half of 2011," said Markus Steinke, the Managing Director of
Eurocopter UK. "It also represents the achievement of a significant
and successful effort focused on design, development and program
management by Eurocopter and Ministry of Defence teams in both the
UK and France."
Eurocopter-built Puma rotary-wing aircraft currently represent
one third of the UK's medium battlefield support helicopters. They
are used as battlefield helicopters within the Joint Helicopter
Command to provide tactical troop and load movement by day and
night.
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