Jupiter lands operational role in Cyprus and Brunei now Puma's been retired
With the Puma now retired by the RAF after nearly 54 years of service, BFBS Forces News has been given special access to the Jupiter HT1, which is set to be its long-term replacement in Cyprus and Brunei.
The Jupiter currently operates out of RAF Shawbury's and RAF Valley's No.1 Flying Training School, which use the HT1 to train helicopter aircrew.
The two stations will also use the helicopter to conduct a training package for crews converting to the type before heading out on operations in Cyprus and Brunei.
A pilot in a unique position is Captain Josh Burke, who has completed training on the Jupiter at RAF Shawbury and will be one of the first out to Brunei to fly the helicopter.
"It's a super exciting time," he said. "There's probably about 10 pilots going over to Brunei for 667 [Squadron] and it's just an exciting time to be the first ones.
"The training that I've had here [RAF Shawbury] and the training that I've had on the Jupiter has been exemplary, so hopefully it will be an easier transition to being over there and the additional training that we will conduct in-country."
The modern helicopter offers a digital cockpit with an intelligent monitoring system making it maintenance-friendly.
It can hold up to 10 personnel, with one or two pilots.
The helicopter can easily operate in confined spaces, urban areas, tight landing zones and remote locations where larger aircraft may struggle.
This is an advantage that would be useful in the jungles of Brunei.
RAF Shawbury's No.1 Flying Training School teaches pilots to fly the aircraft at night, in confined areas and to transport equipment to and from a location.
Squadron Leader Sean Leach, a Qualified Helicopter Instructor at RAF Shawbury, has flown the Puma on operations and now trains pilots on the Jupiter.
He said: "They are two different helicopters. The Puma is a medium-lift helicopter and the Jupiter would be regarded as a lighter lift.
"There would be more troops being able to be carried on the Puma, less on the Jupiter but, in reality, if you’re looking at the capability that's required in the theatre, the Jupiter has what it takes."
At RAF Valley, the advanced flying programme sees trainee aircrew exercise over the water using the winch, a tool that lowers people and equipment down to the ground or to a boat.
Lieutenant Commander Dan Gregory, a Senior Pilot on 202 Squadron at RAF Valley, said: "It's a pretty capable aircraft.
"It can do up to 150 knots, but typically we tend to only operate quite nearby so it would be slower for that and we use it for winching training.
"The military no longer has search and rescue as a primary role, but for all helicopter crews and for most of the helicopter types on the frontline they're able to fit a winch and they should have the skills necessary to rescue somebody."
Squadron Leader Simon Allen, the Officer Commander of 202 Squadron at RAF Valley, has experience out in Cyprus and Brunei.
He believes the helicopter will be well-suited for its new role.
"If you look at Cyprus in particular, it's not only the maritime – the over-water work – but the firefighting," he explained.
"Firefighting is so important out in Cyprus as well as the trooping.
"There will be things that they'll have to test and adjust as they go along. But I fully believe that the capability is there with this aircraft."
Following the retirement of the Puma, the Chinook has now taken over in the interim out in Cyprus and Brunei before the RAF Jupiter settles into the role next year.
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