Puma HC1

• Twin-engined support helicopter
• Can carry up to 16 passengers

Details

The Puma is a support helicopter which entered RAF service in 1971. Selection of the design arose from an RAF requirement to replace Belvedere and Whirlwind helicopters then in service and an agreement between was signed in 1967 between Westland and the French company Sud Aviation (later known as Aerospatiale) covering licence production of 48 SA.330Es which were to be known as Puma HC1s in RAF service. The Anglo-French agreement also covered the production of 292 SA.341 light helicopters (known as Gazelles). In return the French were granted licence production of 40 Westland Lynx helicopters.

The RAF has a fleet of Puma HC1 helicopters available to the frontline Support Helicopter Force. No 33 Squadron and No 230 Squadron, both based at RAF Benson, comprise 5 Operational Flights and one Operational Conversation Flight.

As Support Helicopters (SH) within the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), the Pumas are used in the classic support roles of tactical troop and load (internal/underslung) movement by day or night. The aircraft can accommodate up to 16 passengers or 12 fully equipped troops or up to 2 tonnes of freight. Another major role is that of casualty evacuation for which 6 stretchers can be fitted.

Since entering service the Puma has been involved in numerous military and humanitarian operations including Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, Yugoslavia and Iraq.

Roles

• Support Helicopter (SH). The tactical movement of troops, weapons, ammunition and support stores in the battlefield.
• Casualty Evacuation (Casevac). Removal of casualties and medical emergencies from forward areas.
• Search and Rescue (SAR). The location and evacuation of people in emergency situations.