Mon, Jan 11, 2010
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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