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PARIS 2009: The Caracal's new line of defence
Crews flying the EC725 Caracal in Afghanistan have long-desired a new heavier self-defence weapon deter ground fire.
Since the type began flying in Afghanistan more than two years ago, the helicopters flown by the French Army's (ALAT) Special Forces unit, DAOS and the French Air Force's 'Pyrenees' squadron have been reliant on window mounted 12.7mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) to provide suppressive fire.?
But now it seems help maybe at hand.
Nexter - formerly GIAT Industries - have revealed they are working with Eurocopter and the French DGA procurement agency to fit the French fleet of Caracals and also Cougar transport helicopters with the SH 20 door mounted cannon firing NATO-standard 20 x 102 mm ammunition.?
Early tests have shown that the weapon and its mounting can be easily fitted and operated from the door of the Caracal.?
Bruno Labrousse, commercial director at Nexter said he expected a contract towards the end of year.?
"It would take a year to qualify the weapon for use on the Caracal and Cougar, but it could be in use in Afghanistan in two years time," he said.
Labrousse said there were fears that Kalashnikov-wielding insurgents could if close enough do serious damage to an aircraft. He said the current 12.7mm GPMG does is effective to around 700 metres, but the SH 20 could be still effective at twice that range and well out of the danger zone of the AK47 or equivalent.?
Caracals have been operating in Afghanistan for nearly three years as part of the French operations in RCC Capital (Kabul). Three aircraft are currently deployed, two from the Air Force and a single example from the Army.
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