and a Cloud Cap 500 HD EO/
IR imaging system. The P68 has
underwing hardpoints to carry and
release life rafts when required.
The VC-1 commander added
that the new aircraft “have a lot of
flexibility of operation, being able
to perform many missions that the
Chilean Navy needed to fulfil its
search and rescue mission more
efficiently.” He added: “With the
new aircraft we can operate in total
safety in the 200-mile exclusive
economic zone [EEZ] off Chile.”
Ship-killing Cougars
The Escuadrón de Helicópteros
de Ataque HA-1 (Attack
Helicopter Squadron) operates
five Aérospatiale AS532SC
Cougars, designated locally
as SH-32s. Possessing anti-
submarine and anti-surface
capabilities, they can operate from
the Type 22, Type 23 and Type M
(Karel Doorman-class) frigates.
The AS532SC is equipped with
anti-submarine and anti-surface
systems and a sophisticated
electronics package. Its radar
under the nose is the French
Thomson-CSF Varan, capable
of detecting and attacking five
targets simultaneously. DR2000/
DALIA electronic support measures
(ESM)/RWR are fitted, and there’s
an L-3 Wescam MX-15 EO/
IR camera below the nose. In
addition, an advanced dipping
sonar can detect and classify
targets in all weather conditions.
The SH-32’s ‘teeth’ consist
of up to two MBDA AM.39
Exocet Block 15 anti-surface
missiles, two Mk46 torpedoes,
or a combination of both.
Four AS532SCs were originally
ordered in 1988 along with
four Varan-equipped AS565A
Panthers. The latter were
subsequently cancelled in 1993
and replaced by an additional
Exocet-carrying Cougar.
Unfortunately, one SH-32 was
lost in an accident in May 2003.
In March 2012, an additional
two Aérospatiale AS332L Super
Pumas bolstered the HA-1
inventory. Designated as HH-32s,
the two helicopters were bought
from the civil offshore market
under an Armada de Chile project
named Icaro. The ‘new’ Super
Pumas are used for patrol,
interdiction, humanitarian support,
transportation and special forces
operations. HA-1 also operates
its AS332Ls from the assault ship
Sargento Aldea (LSDH 91, the
former French Navy Foudre).
Rescue and training
The Escuadrón de Helicópteros
de Propósitos Generales HU-1
(General-Purpose Helicopter
Squadron) performs SAR missions
and provides basic instruction
to future helicopter pilots. HU-1
comprises four ex-Irish Air Corps
Aérospatiale AS365F Dauphins and
four short-nosed former civilian
AS365N2 Dauphins, two Bölkow
Bo 105CBS (locally designated
as UH-05s) and six Bell 206AS/B
JetRangers (SH/UH-57). All
are deployed on detachment to
maintain SAR coverage over thecountry’s different naval zones.
Aside from training, the
main mission of these aircraft
is coastal patrol and acting
as a form of border force
to ensure compliance with
coastal protection and maritime
territory laws. Transportation
of officers and cargo, aero-
medical evacuation and assault, if
required, are among other roles.
During summer in the southern
hemisphere the UH-05 is deployed
on board the icebreaker Almirante
Óscar Viel (AP-46) in support
of Chile’s Antarctic mission.The Escuadrón de Instrucción VT-1
(Training Squadron) serves as the
naval flight academy and operates
from Concón. It is responsible
for training all future Chilean naval
aviators. Basic instruction starts
on the Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer,
of which ten were delivered to the
navy in 1980, though only seven
currently remain in service. The
cadets at VT-1 study various courses
and fly up to 170 hours before
graduating from the academy. Most
flights are local, but live-fire training
is conducted over the Atacama
Desert, near Iquique. Naval PC-7s
can be equipped with 260-litre (57-
imp gal) external fuel tanks and
twin 7.62mm MAG gun pods.New projects
Several projects are in place
to keep the aviation arm of the
Armada de Chile afloat, with
upgrade and life extensions of the
Orions and Bandeirulhas well under
way and replacing the Bell 206s
and Dauphins among upcoming
new projects. For the latter,
commander of the Aviación Naval,
Rear Admiral Juan Carlos Pons
Jara, told AFM that procurement
of the Leonardo Helicopters
AW139 was possible, but the
project is still at an early stage.
It is rumoured that Pilatus has
offered an upgrade package to
bring the current fleet of seven
PC-7s to MkII standard, as
currently operated by the RNLAF.
Meanwhile, Chile’s ‘Copper
Law’ continues to fund military
procurement using 10% of
the annual revenues from the
state-owned CODELCO mining
consortium. It ensures the Aviación
Naval is supplied with sufficient
funds to upgrade and renew its
fleet, independent of government
spending commitments, no
matter which party is in power.Rescue and training
In service since 2007, the Dauphin fl eet is made up of four second-hand, former civilian AS365N2s modifi ed for SAR
operations, and four ex-Irish Air Corps SA365Fs. All are designated HH-65 in Chilean service.AFMEquipped with powerful Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, the Exocet-toting
SH-32 (AS532SC) Cougar has a 200nm operating range. The Armada de
Chile was the fi rst naval force in the world to order and operate this potent
version of the Super Puma.http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #361 APRIL 2018 // 67
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