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The Puma is a tactical transport which entered RAF service in 1971. The Puma can operate as a casualty evacuation aircraft, troop transport for up to 16 fully equipped troops, as a medium lift transport carrying up to 5,500 lbs of freight using underfuselage hardpoints to sling loads externally, and as a helicopter gunship capable of carrying a wide variety of armament. The Puma was also designed to be capable of being airlifted in a variety of transport aircraft with a minimum of work. Like the Chinook, the Puma is equipped with night vision aids, defensive electronic countermeasure systems and advanced navigation aids. |
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Powerplant: Two Turbomeca Turmo 111C4 turboshafts of 1,435shp Rotor Diameter: 49ft 2.5in (15.00m) Length: 46ft 1.5in (14.06m); Rotors turning: 59ft 6.5in (18.15m) Max Speed: 163mph (263km/h) Accommodation: Up to 20 passengers/troops or 7,055lb underslung. Recognition: Tall, narrow cabin with a deep tail boom. Engines mounted above the cabin, forward of the main rotor hub. RAF Pumas have extended engine intakes projecting well forward above the windscreen. Large sliding cabin doors; retractable undercarriage, with the main wheels housed in small sponsons. Four-blade main rotor and tail rotor mounted on the starboard side. |
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