The experience from the 24 successful operational missions led to the HORIZON system (Hélicoptère d'Observation Radar et d'Investigation sur ZONe, on-site helicopter radar observation and investigation). Aérospatiale became part of Eurocopter in 1992, and in October 1992 the latter received a development contract for two machines, in which the capacities of the Orchidéesysteem with the performance of the larger AS532UL were combined. Two AS 332 L Super Puma airframes, were upgraded to AS532UL Cougars, and fully equipped the first flight took place on December 8, 1992.
In April 1994 the first unit was delivered to the ALAT (Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre, Army Light Aviation), followed by the second development aircraft and two production aircraft. These were nicknamed "les quater mousquetaires" ("The Four Musketeers"):