Sun, Oct 04, 2009
Contract Signed With RAF For New Engines, Glass Cockpits
Eurocopter UK Ltd. and the British
Ministry of Defence have signed a contract for the Life Extension
Program for 28 of the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Puma Mk1
helicopters. The agreement was reached in mid-September. The
upgraded Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC Mk2, will offer
significantly enhanced performance and operational capabilities,
and remain in service until at least 2022.
The program is based on
comprehensive upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines,
a glass cockpit, new communications, navigation and defensive
systems, and a digital autopilot. The Puma HC Mk2’s
performance and payload will be substantially increased,
particularly in hot and high conditions. As a key pillar of the
Royal Air Force’s fleet of medium lift helicopters, Puma
continues to play a major role in operational theaters, delivering
very high operational readiness levels.
Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling commented, “This contract
represents an important new phase in Eurocopter’s long
lasting and maturing relationship with the UK Ministry of Defence.
We will bring to this program our extensive experience in upgrading
and enhancing helicopters, and in adapting them to the new
scenarios and challenges arising from present and future
deployment.”
RAF Puma File Photo
Markus Steinke, Managing Director of Eurocopter UK, added,
“As the British pillar of the Eurocopter Group, we are proud
to sign this major contract strengthening our industrial expansion
in the UK even more and enabling us to develop a widening
partnership with the MoD, also in view of forthcoming new
helicopter programs such as Future Medium Helicopter
(FMH).”
The contract is valued at $364 million, and is due to be
completed by December 2014.
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