Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal

Airbus Helicopters · France · first flew 2000 · helicopter

The H225M Caracal is Airbus Helicopters' military variant of the EC725, a twin-engine super-medium helicopter optimised for special operations, combat search and rescue, and troop transport.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	19.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine super-medium military helicopter
Five-blade main rotor with large sponsons
Long nose with retractable undercarriage

Distinguished from the AS332 by its fully retractable wheeled undercarriage, composite five-blade main rotor, and large sponson fuel tanks; longer and more angular than the civilian H225.

Specifications

The Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal has a length of 19.5 m (64 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.2 m (53 ft).
Its maximum speed is 324 km/h (201 mph).
Typical crew: 2 pilots + up to 29 troops.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the AS332 Super Puma family, the EC725 (later redesignated H225M) first flew in 2000 and entered French Air Force service in 2005. It was selected by several NATO nations and drew international attention during the French military's African intervention campaigns.

Variants

Variants include the civil H225 offshore transport and the dedicated combat SAR and special-operations configurations operated by France, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, and Kuwait.

Where you'll see it

Primary operator is the French Air and Space Force; also serves Brazil, Malaysia, Kuwait, and Mexico, with no significant UK operational use.

Related aircraft

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