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PARIS 2009: The Caracal's new line of defence

15th June 2009 - 23:00 GMT | by Tony Osborne in Le Bourget

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Crews flying the EC725 Caracal in Afghanistan have long-desired a new heavier self-defence weapon deter ground fire.

Since the type began flying in Afghanistan more than two years ago, the helicopters flown by the French Army's (ALAT) Special Forces unit, DAOS and the French Air Force's 'Pyrenees' squadron have been reliant on window mounted 12.7mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) to provide suppressive fire.?

But now it seems help maybe at hand.

Nexter - formerly GIAT Industries - have revealed they are working with Eurocopter and the French DGA procurement agency to fit the French fleet of Caracals and also

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Author

Tony Osborne

Tony was deputy editor of Defence Helicopter and Rotorhub magazines before joining Aviation Week in …

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