TSAMTO, December 24. The Brazilian company Helibras (Helicopters do Brasil), which is a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters, announced the delivery to the Army Aviation Command (CAvEX) of Brazil of the 34th and last upgraded light reconnaissance helicopter AS-550A2 "Fennek".
As reported by CAMTO, Helibras is upgrading 34 helicopters (plus two prototypes) for the Brazilian military aviation to the HA-1A version of Fennek under a contract signed in December 2010 worth 159 million rials ($66.5 million). The contract provided for the modernization of 15 AS-350L1 Eskilo light multipurpose helicopters and 19 AS-550A2 Fennek helicopters. The purpose of the program is to extend the service life of the machines by 25 years. Three helicopters had to undergo major repairs and modernization, and 33 cars - only modernization. The work was carried out at the Helibras enterprise in Itajuba (Minas Gerais state). The first upgraded AS-550A2 Fennek was delivered to the customer in 2014.
The Helibras modernization package received military certificates from the Department of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies of the Brazilian Air Force / Institute of Industrial Development (Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnologia Aeroespacial / Instituto de Fomento Industrial - DCTA / IFI).
The modernization program includes equipping helicopters with a "glass" cockpit developed by AEL Sistemas with three large liquid crystal displays, ensuring its compatibility with night vision goggles, integrating an automatic flight control system with autopilot and improved shock-proof seats for pilots, which improves visibility and security.
The upgrade package also includes a digital DVCS6100 internal voice communication system manufactured by Becker Avionics Brasil; an AP85 autopilot by Sagem Defense Aeronautics, a radio altimeter manufactured by Thales; Rockwell Collins navigation systems, Inbrafiltro group armor plates in the cockpit.
