TSAMTO, February 8. Helibras (the Brazilian division of Airbus Helicopters) has handed over to the command of the Brazilian Navy a new H-225M helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopters in a configuration for anti-ship warfare.
The helicopter with registration number No. 4102 became the 13th H225M delivered by Helibras to the Brazilian Navy Command as part of the H-XB project, and the second of five vehicles in the configuration for anti-ship warfare. Earlier, the Brazilian Navy received 8 helicopters in the UH-15 multipurpose version and three in the UH-15A version for search and rescue operations in combat conditions.
The third version of the H-225M of the Brazilian Navy, bearing the national designation AH-15B "Super Cougar", is armed with two AM39 Block anti-submarine missiles.2 Mod.2 (B2M2) "Exocet" of MBDA group, self-defense system and electronic countermeasures IDAS-3.
As reported by CAMTO, in December 2008, the Brazilian government and a consortium of Eurocopter and Helibras companies signed a contract worth about 5.2 billion reais (1.85 billion Euro) for the supply of 50 EC-725 (H-225) helicopters under the H-X BR program. After the delivery of the first batch of helicopters produced in France, the assembly of the machines is fully carried out by the Brazilian division of Helibras at the enterprise in Itajuba (Minas Gerais). Under the terms of the contract, 16 helicopters will be delivered to the Navy and SV, 18 units to the Air Force.
The command of the Brazilian Navy received the first H-225M helicopter in the configuration for anti-ship warfare in October 2021. The remaining AH-15B should be delivered by 2023.
Five AH-15bs will be transferred to the Pegasus squadron for use on board the landing helicopter carrier (A140) NAM Atlantico and the G40 Bahia (L-9012 Sirocco of the Foudre class from the French Navy).
The AH-15B is equipped with the Atech/Airbus N-TDMS (Naval Tactical Data Management System) flight control system specially developed for the Brazilian Navy, the APS-143C(V)3 OceanEye radar, the FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE III sight and the Saab IDAS-3 self-defense system, can carry two AM39 missiles. It can also be equipped with other equipment, including two swivel-type mounts manufactured by FN Herstal with 7.62mm machine guns and a rescue winch.
