Crew
Capacity Length Height Rotor diameter Empty weight Gross weight Max takeoff weight Maximum speed Cruise speed Never exceed speed Range Ferry range Service ceiling Rate of climb Armament |
1 or 2
1 loadmaster, up to 28 troops or 5,670 kg (12,500 lb) payload 19.5 metres 4.6 metres 16.2 metres 5,330 kg 11,000 kg 11,200 kg 324 km/h in level flight 262 km/h 324 km/h 920 km (500 nmi) 1,253 km (677 nmi) 6,095 metres 7.4 m/s 2x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (optionally M134 Dillon) Optionally 2x side mounted weapons pods including 2.75 inch rocket pod, 20mm cannon, 12.7mm cannon 1x Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missile |
The H225M Caracal is the Armed Service's priamry utility helicopter, representing the next iteration of the Armed Service's use of the Cougar and Puma helicopters before them since 1969.
The Caracal is used in roles including:
The helicopter utilises a two-engine design, and completed its first flight in 2000. The fuselage is construted of light alloy material with a large composite intermediate structure and cowlings. The machine-milled frames are strengthened for crashworthiness. Additionally, crew and passengers are protected by removable armour plating. An upgrade of the Puma design, Caracal is equipped with the ‘Spheriflex’ main and tail rotorheads. The diameter of the main rotor system is 16.2m. The five-bladed main rotor is fully composite, with a composite spar, multiple box structure and anhedral tipcaps. The five-blade arrangement provides a very low level of vibration. The rotors and horizontal stabiliser can be equipped with an anti-icing and de-icing system. The helicopter is powered by two Makila 2A turboshaft engines, each providing 1,800kW of power, an increase of 14% over the previous 1A2 engine version. Each engine, complete with systems and accessories, is independent. An infrared suppression system is installed to reduce the thermal signature of the helicopter. The engines are equipped with dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), while protective air intake grids prevent ingestion of debris into the engines. The free turbine features blade shedding architecture for high levels of reliability and safety. Caracal’s main gearbox is reinforced for compatibility with the increased turbine engine power and the increase in the helicopter’s maximum weight. The helicopter uses the gear train identical to that of the Cougar mk2. An emergency lubrication spray is installed in the gearbox to allow a 30-minute flight with no oil. The helicopter has retractable crashworthy tricycle-type landing gear. Each unit retracts rearward and is fitted with dual chamber oleo pneumatic shock absorbers. Emergency floatation units and/or skis can be installed on the main landing gear fairings and on the forward section of the fuselage. Inside the cockpit, Caracal is equipped with an all-glass cockpit, utilising modern avionics and an integrated display system including full battlefield management capabilities. The cockpit display suite includes seven active matrix liquid crystal displays: four multifunction 6in x 8in displays and two 4in x 5in helicopter parameter displays. The advanced helicopter cockpit and avionics system (AHCAS) includes an automatic flight control system, integrating flight, navigation and tactical mission data. Caracal is equipped with radar and FLIR (forward-looking infrared) for day and night-time SAR capabilities. The navigation suite includes Doppler radar, global positioning system and inertial navigation system. The cabin of the aircraft can accomodate cargo, up to 14 passengers in crash strengthened seats, or up to 28 passengers in regular seating. The crew consists of the pilot, copilot, and loadmaster; generally an assistant loadmaster joins the crew. The loadmasters are charged with operating the two 7.62 general purpose machine guns directed to the port and starboard. The main 2,539l fuel tanks are installed beneath the floor of the cabin. Auxiliary tanks can be installed in the cargo hook well (capacity of 324l) or at the rear of the cabin (990l). Additional capabilities include:
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