- Yes
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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m talking about the H225M Caracal, which is currently in service with the French armed forces.
The H225M Caracal, also known as the EC725 in its civilian version, is a multi-role military transport helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). A member of the renowned Super Puma/Cougar family, it was designed to meet the needs of the armed forces in tactical transport, combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation, and special operations.
Development of the H225M began in the early 1990s at the request of the French Army, which wanted to replace its aging Pumas with a more modern, high-performance helicopter adapted to new threats. The Caracal prototype made its first flight on November 27, 2000. It was a heavily modified version of the AS532 Super Puma Cougar, incorporating new technologies to improve its flight capabilities, its resistance to hostile conditions, and its compatibility with modern weapons systems.
The H225M is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A1 engines, which enable it to reach a cruising speed of approximately 270 km/h with a range of over 850 km, extendable through in-flight refueling. Its cabin can accommodate up to 28 equipped soldiers or several wounded personnel on stretchers. It is equipped with advanced navigation systems, secure communications, and electronic countermeasures.
The H225M Caracal has been deployed in numerous theaters of operation, including Afghanistan, the Sahel, Lebanon, and West Africa. The French Army has used it for combat search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and counterterrorism. Its robustness and reliability make it a popular aircraft among special forces, particularly the 1st Combat Helicopter Regiment (1st RHC) and the Special Operations Command (COS) in France.
France currently has 18 aircraft divided between the Air Force and the Army (8 and 10 respectively). In addition the H225M has won over several countries, including Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, and more recently Hungary and Kuwait. Its modularity and ability to adapt to different environments (sea, mountains, desert) explain this international success.
DETAILS :
DIMENSIONS
- 19.50 m in length
- 16.20 m in width
MAX WEIGHT
- 11,000 kg
- 11,200 kg With external weight
- 4,750 kg sling load
CAPACITY
- 31 seating (crew + troops)
ENGINE
- 2 x Safran Helicopter Makila 2A1
- Take off : 1,567 kW
MAXIMUM SPEED
- 324 km/h - 180knts (262 km/h recommended)
MAXIMUM RANGE (at 5,000 ft)
- 920 km - 597 NM without fuel tanks
- 1253 km - 677 NM with fuel tanks
- 4h30 of maximum endurance
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE
- 1935 m - 6000 ft in stationnary
- 6096 m - 20000 ft
EQUIPMENT :
The device is equipped with various equipment to ensure its defense but also to detect the targets to be treated.
- A Radar Warning Receiver and Laser Warning Receiver, several captors can be seen on the aircraft (from 27:25 on the video below).
- A countermeasure deployment system and a MAW, this system is visible in images and video of the helicopter. This device is placed on each side of the tail of the aircraft (from 29:00 on the video below).
- Night Vision Goggles for night missions
- Electro optical system (FLIR Chlio) to identifie and/or designate targets.
WEAPONS :
The aircraft’s standard armament consists of two gun-mounted machine guns placed on each side of the aircraft. However, this aircraft is compatible with the Airbus HForce pack and is currently undergoing testing to introduce the various elements provided by this system. The French army is also considering installing a 20mm SH20 cannon in the hold to provide covering fire to ground forces.
HForce :
The Hforce system is a flexible weapons system that can be installed on different aircraft (H125M, H145M, H160M), but according to the Airbus website, the H225M would be able to be equipped with it, which would considerably improve its weapons.
The HForce system is installed on two hardpoints located on each side of the aircraft under the fuselage (see video between 31:43 and 33:44)
2 x 12.7mm gun pod FN HMP400
2 x 20mm gun pod NEXTER NC621
2 x unguided rockets pod
The addition of air-to-ground missiles has already been seen on the H145M of the German military forces via the Hforce system, the possible missiles that could be added to the Caracal would therefore be the same and would therefore be Hellfire or EuroSpike missiles.
As for air-to-air missiles, none of the aircraft capable of using the Hforce suite have used them so far. It is therefore difficult to know what type of missile it could be and in what quantity.
This HForce system also allows the installation of a Top Howl HMD for the pilot and co-pilot, allowing them to visualize the different elements surrounding them and to designate their targets more easily.
IN GAME :
In-game, this helicopter would have a special place, being one of the only heavy transport helicopters able to carry weapons. Its gameplay would be very similar to that of the Russian Mi-8 or American BlackHawk, combining a heavy tank transport structure and good weapons capabilities. This would bring welcome diversity to the French tree, which is sorely lacking in heavy helicopters.
Video :
Caracal, l’hélicoptère inarrêtable des forces spéciales
Forces Spéciales: H225M Caracal
H145M, Tiger & H225M Caracal in action - YouTube
15/12/08 - Bagram - Deux hélicoptères Caracal en exercice avec les américains - YouTube