Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

UK Royal Air Force (RAF) crews have begun training on the Eurocopter Puma Mk 2, although the two squadrons will not be cleared for service until 2015. Under a contract signed in 2009, Eurocopter is upgrading 24 of the 40-year-old helicopters with new engines, glass cockpits, digital autopilot and other improvements. Seven have been redelivered to date.
Fitted with the same two 1,700-shp Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshafts as the AS332 Super Puma, the Puma Mk 2 offers much greater range, endurance and payload than the original version. In particular, the Puma Mk 2 can lift 16 troops and a full fuel load in any temperature conditions. The aircraft have also received new composite tail-rotor blades, a tailboom reinforcement, fuel system modifications and a new Selex defensive aids system (DAS).
However, the upgrade has been controversial, not only because of the age of the airframes but also because the airframe work is being done by Eurocopter’s subsidiary in Romania. Eurocopter is believed to have offered to upgrade the Pumas in the UK, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) chose the cost-saving option. The MoD acknowledged last week that less than one-third by value of the work on the £260 million ($420 million) contract was being done in the UK. In addition to Eurocopter’s UK subsidiary and Selex, the British contractors are Cobham (antennas); Ferranti (helmet-mounted display); GE Aviation (aircraft management systems); GKN Aerospace (self-sealing fuel tanks); Permali (ballistic protection and flooring); Rockwell Collins UK (navcom equipment); and Thales UK (avionics).
“The Puma is a remarkable aircraft, and its ability to operate in urban and harsh environments will see it play a key role in any future deployments,” said RAF Puma Force Commander Gp Capt. Nigel Colman. One of the key attractions of the Puma to the RAF is the ability to airlift two of them in a C-17 with minimal disassembly, so that they can be flying again within four hours of arrival.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Eurocopter Puma Upgrade for UK Makes Progress

Under a contract signed in 2009, Eurocopter is upgrading 24 Puma Mk 2 helicopters with new engines, glass cockpits, digital autopilot and other improvements.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors 

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

In this article

Eurocopter

More In Aircraft

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 EIS

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Dave Yip To Take Over as Acting CEO of Metrojet

Leadership changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator

N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN