he Puma HC1 first entered service in 1971, and the RAF currently has a fleet of 33 aircraft available to the front-line Support
The Puma HC1 first entered service in 1971, and the RAF currently has a fleet of 33 aircraft available to the front-line Support Helicopter Force. The aircraft are operated by No 33 Squadron, which is based at RAF Benson, and by No 230 Squadron, which is based at RAF Aldergrove, in Northern Ireland. No 33 Squadron, which is divided into two flights and the operational conversion flight, offers flexibility in its role in that the aircraft of one of the flights are fitted with desert warfare specialist equipment, while the aircraft of the other flight are fitted with arctic warfare specialist equipment. The Pumas are used as battlefield helicopters within the Joint Helicopter Command and provide tactical troop and load movement by day or by night. The aircraft can carry 16 fully-equipped troops, or up to two tonnes of freight carried either internally or as an underslung load. The other major role is that of casualty or medical evacuation support, for which up to six stretchers can be fitted. Each aircraft is equipped with satellite- based GPS equipment and an instrument landing system, enabling the aircraft to be navigated accurately and to be landed at suitably equipped airfields in poor weather conditions. The normal crew of two pilots, or a pilot and a weapons systems officer, plus a crewman, is trained in procedural instrument flying and tactical low flying by day and by night using night-vision goggles. The aircrew and their supporting ground crew are also trained to operate from inhospitable areas in all conditions ranging from desert to arctic environments. For self-defence, the Puma is being upgraded with a new defensive-aids suite. This suite includes an integrated radar warning receiver, a missile-approach-warning system, an infrared jammer and automatic chaff and flare dispensing equipment. In addition, two cabin-mounted general purpose machine guns can be fitted for use by the crewmen.
Size: 2784px × 1848px
Location: Scotland UK
Photo credit: © andrew chittock / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: army, battlefield, british, command, hc1, helicopter, joint, puma, raf, rota, support
