H215M Cougar, 45 years of service

Mathll · June 13, 2026, 5:16pm

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

Yes
No

0 voters

Before beginning this suggestion, I would like to thank @Thomas_Belgium for his help in writing it and for the various corrections he suggested.

Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.

Today, I will be talking about a French military helicopter: the Cougar.

The Cougar is a French aircraft with a particularly rich history. Initially, it was produced by Aérospatiale under the name AS332 Super Puma. This was an improvement on the SA330 Puma, featuring a more spacious cabin and a more optimized engine. Entering service in the 1980s, this aircraft enjoyed success in France and internationally, and is still operated in more than ten countries today. In 1990, Aérospatiale spun off its helicopter division, which then became Eurocopter, and renamed the aircraft AS532 Cougar. In 2013, the company reorganized and changed its name to Airbus Helicopters. To distance itself from the aircraft’s historical designation, all helicopters adopted a new standardized designation, and the Cougar became the H215M (M for militarized). The Airbus version that I am presenting today aims to group all the different versions under a single aircraft that can be equipped with different options depending on the desired missions.

Within the French Armed Forces, the AS532 Cougar is primarily used by the Army, via the Army Light Aviation (ALAT). It is employed in a wide variety of missions, including tactical transport, airborne operations, medical evacuation, logistical support, and special operations. Entering service in the 1990s, the Cougar has become a key asset for French overseas deployments, particularly in the Balkans, Africa (Mali, Ivory Coast, and the Central African Republic), Afghanistan, and the Levant. Capable of transporting up to 25 fully equipped soldiers or nearly four tons of cargo, it offers significant logistical capacity while benefiting from protection systems that enhance its survivability in hostile environments. Since Airbus’s acquisition of Aérospatiale, the aircraft has been renamed the H215M Cougar and has undergone several modifications, including modernization to be compatible with Airbus’s H Force package, allowing the integration of various weapons on additional hardpoints on the aircraft’s sides. Although it has been partially replaced in some units by the H225M Caracal, the Cougar remains in active service and continues to play a crucial role in the rapid deployment of French forces to theaters of operation.

Characteristic

Length : 18.70 m
Width : 15.60 m
Height : 4.6m
Mass :
- Min : 4,300kg
- Max : 9,350kg

The aircraft is powered by two Turboméca Makila 1A1 turboshafts, each with a power of 1820 hp. This allows the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 150 knots and climb to a maximum altitude of 6,000 meters.

The Cougar can travel a maximum of 1165km in 6h (with external fuel tanks), a distance that drops to 776km in 4h without additional tanks.

Equipment

This aircraft was equipped with various equipment already present on a wide range of aircraft present in the French army, all to ensure its defenses but also to allow it to detect its targets. All these devices are part of the ISPS (Integrated Self-Protection System) suite, the exact models of the components are not known.

RWR
LWS
MAW
Decoy launcher from Lacroix
Horizon radar
The Horizon radar is a J band doppler radar installed under the aircraft’s tail. Designed on the basis of the Orchidée radar that was equipped on the Puma helicopters, this radar has a range of150 km and allows good visualization of the battlefield because it allows the detection of both ground and air targets.

Additionally, the Cougar can install the FLIR CHLIO pod under its nose, allowing the crew to view its surroundings with a high-quality optical + infrared system. The aircraft is also compatible with night vision binoculars. Finally, the crew members are protected by armor plates, shielding them from light munitions.

Weapons

Initially, the Super Puma had several versions with varying weapon payload capacities to carry out the missions assigned to the Puma. Additionally, a naval version was created for certain countries, capable of carrying anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and sonobuoys (France did not operate this version and therefore never armed the aircraft in this way). However, the 20mm cannon that can be mounted in the cargo hold, as well as rocket pods, are already present.

Source : HELICOPTERES DE COMBAT 1987 BILL GUNSTON MIKE SPICK ILLUSTRE

Since the aircraft was designated the Cougar and transferred to Eurocopter and Airbus, its armament has become much more standardized. It now carries only certain weapons common to the various aircraft in Airbus’s military range. These weapons are listed below.

20mm cannon
Nexter’s SH20 cannon can be installed in the helicopter’s porthole. This cannon, used on the majority of French transport aircraft (Puma, Super Puma, Caracal), provides cover for ground forces against lightly armored targets.
12.7mm machinegun
The FN HERSTAL M3M machine gun can also be installed in the Cougar’s porthole, positioning itself in the same position as the SH20 gun. This machine gun, thanks to its higher rate of fire, allows it to deal with a greater number of targets than the 20mm gun, while losing its anti-vehicle capability.

In addition to these weapons, the helicopter can equip 7.62mm (MAG 58) machine guns (200 rounds) with windows located on each side of the aircraft before the hold, allowing it to defend itself and protect troops on the ground during loading and unloading phases.

Since Airbus acquired Aérospatiale, various armament combinations have been tested and validated. These include carrying a rocket pod on each side of the aircraft. These pods, each holding 19 68mm or 70mm rockets, are compatible with SNEB, FFAR and WA rockets and could be armed in the future with the F7275 LGR laser-guided rocket. In addition, the Nexter NC621 20mm Canon pod was tested and qualified on the aircraft.

Summary of weaponry :

In the hold :

1 x SH20 20mm canon
1 x M3M 12.7 machine gun
2 x MAG 58 7.62mm machine gun

External attachment point :

1 x rocket pod for 19 x 68mm rockets (SNEB)
1 x rocket pod for 19 x 70mm rockets (FFAR or WA + laser guided in the future)
1 x NC621 20mm gun pod

In-game, this aircraft would be an interesting addition to the French tech tree, providing a large ship but with limited armament, restricted to gun pods and unguided rockets (for now). However, its inclusion would still be worthwhile as it would diversify gameplay within the French tech tree, which currently only features light aircraft.

Pictures

Aérospatiale AS532 Cougar | Provence 7

Video

Cougar Hélicopter & Commandos Français En Action 🇫🇷
Visite guidée du COUGAR MODERNISÉ, l’hélicoptère de transport tactique de l’ @Armeedeterre
Redirecting...

Sources

Thomas_Belgium · June 13, 2026, 5:20pm

+1!
While the gunship-only versions would not be suitable for a suggestion on their own, the H215M as a transport with optional armament like the rocket pods and technical capability to get Thales Belgium Laser Guided missiles/Rockets, it gives a solid angle for an interesting French heli.