Aviation News Item: 03849

10th Jan 2010

Source: aero-news.net

Helibras Will Upgrade 34 Eurocopters For The Brazilian Army
A contract to upgrade 34 AS365K Panther helicopters of the Brazilian Army Aviation was signed on Christmas Eve by Helibras, Eurocopter's subsidiary in Brazil. This is the largest service contract signed by the Brazilian subsidiary in its more than 30 year history. This program will result in a new generation of Panther helicopters incorporating Eurocopter's latest technology.

The program is designed to extend the life of the current fleet by at least 25 years by modernizing 32 aircraft and the reconstruction of two. The upgrade consists of new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 CG engine managed by a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) with up to 15% increased continuous power and various contingency ratings.

The cockpit will be fitted with new digital radio communication systems (Proline 21) and full Glass cockpit (various enlarged last state-of-art displays for Primary Flight, Navigation, Tactical and miscellaneous information). The introduction of this new Man Machine Interface coupled with the 4-Axis Autopilot will significantly reduce the pilot workload for better night and day mission accomplishment. Four aircraft will be upgraded per year, with deliveries expected to take place between 2011 and 2021.

The Panther fleet was purchased in 1988 by the Brazilian government when the Brazilian Army Aviation created the 1st Army Aviation Squadron at Taubaté (Sao Paulo). They are now operated by the army as troop transport and light support platforms. The Panther is a variant of the Dauphin, a proven-powerful medium family well appropriate for each need.

File Photo

The upgrade of the Panther helicopters will be performed by Helibras Engineering Center. This entity that was set-up to support the deal signed a year ago between the Brazilian government and a consortium formed by Helibras and Eurocopter for the local production of 50 EC725 helicopters for the Brazilian Armed Forces.

As part of this upgrade, engineers, technicians and logistic staff from the Brazilian Army Aviation will be involved in all the stages of the program and receive "on-the-job" training courses in the new technology.

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