Swiss Air Force receives final Cougar helicopter
The transfer of the final modernised Cougar helicopter was celebrated with a ceremonial handover. (Photo: RUAG)
RUAG has transferred the last of nine Cougars to the Swiss Air Force’s helicopter fleet as part of the Cougar modernisation programme.
After a successful decision to undergo a value retention programme to modernise the TH89 Super Puma to become the TH06, the TH98 Cougar was selected to be upgraded to the TH18 model.
The modernisation programme received approval from the Federal Council in 2018 and started in early 2019 with the conversion of the first Cougar.
There were two goals of the modernisation programme, first to extend the useful life of the 20-year old helicopter and second to harmonise the Super Puma and Cougar transport helicopters to allow more uniform and simplified operations and training.
The AS532 Cougar is a development of the SA 330 Puma, first introduced in 1977. According to Shephard Defence Insight, the platform has at least 26 confirmed international customers.
This news follows RUAG’s announcement to divest many of its defence subsidiaries. Since just last month, RUAG has announced the planned sale of RUAG Australia to ASDAM and the completed sale of RUAG Simulation & Training to Thales.
More from Air Warfare
-
UK set to host headquarters for GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, reports suggest
As discussions about the Global Combat Air Programme's headquarters location continue, Japan may lead the UK-based HQ to maintain programme balance.
-
Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability
'We're getting into a zone where [the engine and the cooling] are going to be out of phase with each other... which means you're going to have to take the [F-35] jet down twice for overhaul and replacement of systems,' Honeywell official tells Shephard.
-
Australia reverses decision on Schiebel Camcopters for naval UAVs
It turns out that Australia has made absolutely no progress in obtaining shipborne UAVs in the past 18 months or so.
-
Austria to replace C-130 Hercules with C-390
Austria plans to replace its retiring C-130 Hercules fleet with Embraer's C-390 military transport aircraft, Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner said on 20 September.
-
Australia orders a fourth MQ-4C Triton and upgrades P-8A fleet
Australia will buy another MQ-4C Triton for maritime surveillance, plus its partner the P-8A will undergo an upgrade programme.
-
Four more US Air National Guard wings to receive C-130J Super Hercules
The USAF has selected four Air National Guard Airlift wings as the preferred locations to receive C-130J Super Hercules to replace the ageing C-130Hs.