The RAF has begun training at the Puma Mk2 helicopter following a £260 million upgrade programme.
Pictures released today show crews from 33 and 230 Squadrons finishing up training flights of the upgraded aircraft from their base at RAF Benson in Oxford.
The multi million pound upgrade implies that the helicopters take pleasure in new engines which provide them 35 per cent more power and improved fuel efficiency so they can fly faster and twice so far as the Puma Mk1. In addition they have state-of-the-art digitised glass cockpits and upgraded LCD instruments.
The Puma Mk2 can fit right into a C-17 this means that it is usually transported anywhere on this planet and, crucially, may be able to deploy in support of both combat and humanitarian missions in exactly 4 hours. The aircraft, with improved ballistic protection, is able to carrying as much as 16 fully equipped troops. Twin cargo doors and occasional rotor downwash make it ideal for transporting personnel and gear inside and outside of confined urban environments.
Minister for Defence, Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne said:
“With its greater range, endurance and payload the Puma Mk2 helicopter will give the Royal Air Force significantly enhanced, agile capability in support of combat and humanitarian operations in even the foremost austere conditions.
“In 2012 we committed to spending £12.1 billion to make sure our helicopter capability remains updated. The delivery of the Puma Mk2 will further strengthen our world class helicopter fleet which recently saw the introduction of the upgraded Merlin Mk2 and upgraded Chinook Mk4s.”
Puma Force Commander Group Captain Nigel Colman said:
“The Puma is a remarkable aircraft and its ability to function in urban and cruel conditions will see it play a key role in any future deployments. For sure the Puma Force are really enjoying attending to grips with the aircraft and are reporting that it’s outperforming expectations.”
Seven of the RAF’s fleet of 24 Puma Mk2s have to date been dropped at RAF Benson and the remaining shall be handed over in the course of the next two years earlier than the helicopters entering service in 2015.
Almost a 3rd – around £78m – of the upgrade accomplished by Eurocopter (UK) has taken place within the UK with companies in Oxford, Oldham, Redditch, Gloucester, Boscombe Down, Basildon, Surrey, Marlow, Cheltenham and Reading contributing to the work. The rest has taken place Eurocopter (UK)’s plants in France and Romania.
The table below highlights the corporations inside the UK that are taking advantage of this contract.
Contractor/Administrative center/Kind of Work:
- Eurocopter UK, Kidlington, Oxford: LEP Prime Contractor, Project Management, Secure Communications, TES and Role Modifications;
- Ferranti Technologies Ltd, Oldham: Helmet Mounted Display
- GKN Aerospace, Redditch: Self-sealing Fuel Tanks
- Permali, Gloucester; Ballistic Protection and Sacrificial Floor
- QinetiQ, Boscombe Down: Qualification and Testing
- Selex, Basildon, Essex: Defensive Aid Suite
- Thales, Surrey: Avionic Components
- Cobham, Marlow: Antenna Systems
- GE Aviation, Cheltenham: Aircraft Management Systems
- Rockwell Collins UK, Reading: Communication/Navigation Equipment
Related Topic Tags