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.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com, www.mod.uk