The Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Morocco has announced the signing of a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the supply of ten H225M transport and support helicopters.
The H225Ms are multi-role helicopters capable of carrying out a wide range of missions including counter-terrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC and combat search and rescue, as well supporting civilian authorities in the event of natural disasters.
The H225Ms will take the place of the aging Pumas in the ranks of the Royal Moroccan Air Force or Forces Royales Air (FRA) which have been in service since 1973; of the 27 original units purchased, around fifteen are still in service; they are SA-330Ls that were older SA-330Cs upgraded between 2008 and 2010 in Romania by IAR.
Characteristics of the H225M
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the H225M has been increased by 160 kg and now reaches 11,160 kg.
The H225M, also known as Caracal, has a five-man crew and reaches a maximum speed of 324 km/h, with a maximum cruising speed of 267 km/h and is capable of carrying up to 24 people.
The helicopter is equipped with a missile protection system, capable of identifying threats and activating countermeasures; on board is a heat camera and a laser telemetry system that allow for maximum precision operations.
The Caracal is able to operate in any weather conditions thanks to the avionics’ compatibility in the cockpit with night vision goggles (NVG) mounted on pilot helmets.
The HForce Weapon System
The Caracal can be armed with two heavy M3 machine guns caliber 12.7 mm and with a SH 20 machine gun caliber 20 mm or with two LAU-3/A pods for 19 rockets of 2.75 inches or 70 mm.
Over the course of time, the H225M has been equipped by Airbus Helicopters with new avionics, an improved main rotor, airborne communication systems and can now be equipped with the HForce weapon system.
The system offers a multipurpose mission computer interchangeable from one helicopter to another, monocular sight and display mounted on the helmet (HMSD) for pilots and machine gunners and ballistic shots, electro-optical system (EOS) for target identification and shooting and a wide range of armaments (air-to-air, air-to-surface guided and unguided, machine guns) to respond to any need.
Photo credit @Anthony Pecchi-Airbus Helicopters
