Brazil’s army has approved a series of upgrades for its Airbus Helicopters AS365K Panther rotorcraft following operational trials involving the first two modified examples which were handed over to the service in March.
A total of 34 helicopters will be brought to the enhanced Super K2 standard, with the work performed at the Itajubá facility of Helibras, the local subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters.
During the evaluation phase the pair flew a total of 200h across 12 Brazilian cities, simulating some 150 missions and boasting availability of around 98%, Helibras says.
Helibras
Deliveries of the enhanced helicopters are due to run until 2021. Four aircraft will be handed over in 2015, with this rate to rise to six per year until the project is completed.
Upgrades include more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 engines, a new glass cockpit featuring a four-axis autopilot and a new tail rotor.
Marco Wagner, project manager at Helibras, says the evaluation proved the benefits of the upgrade work, particularly through reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety.
The modernisation effort began in 2009, is worth R347 million ($148 million) and will add another 25 years to the Panthers’ lifespan.
It also represents a milestone for Helibras, as the design work for the enhancements was carried out in Brazil.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
