To fill a French army requirement for an all-weather medium-lift transport helicopter, Sud Aviation (later to become part of Aerospatiale) designed the SA 330.
This, France's first attempt to build a medium helicopter without outside technical contributions, was a resounding success, though the all-weather capability did not come until after several years of development.
The first deliveries of SA 330Bs to the French army took place in 1969, the type becoming operational the following year.
Meanwhile, the last preproduction Puma was being modified by Westland for the RAF. After promising tests, a joint production agreement was reached and the British firm built 48 SA 330Es (Puma HC.Mk Is).
Aerospatiale went on to build 686 SA 330s (before switching production to the Super Puma in 1981) in successively improved versions for numerous export customers. These included civil operators, especially those in the oilfield support industry once the all-weather capability was available in the SA 330J and L. Between 1970 and 1984, Aerospatiale sold 126 civil models in all.
Romanian company IAR began license production in 1977 and by 1994 had built over 200. Production of the IAR-330L continues and there are plans for an upgraded Puma 2000.
No comments:
Post a Comment