Airbus Helicopters’ Brazilian subsidiary Helibras recently officially presented the Brazilian Navy’s H225M multirole utility helicopter in a naval combat configuration.
Developed and assembled locally by Helibras, this new H225M version is equipped with mission capabilities that include anti-surface warfare and maritime surveillance.
According to the company, this evolution of the H225M is built around a Helibras-developed tactical mission system including an APS-143 surveillance radar, self-protection systems and signals intelligence capabilities.
The helicopter is also equipped with two AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, while the cargo bay accommodates a dedicated sensor operator console providing the mission commander with an overview of the tactical situation. An automatic identification system (AIS) will also allow crew members to gather information on surface vessels.
“I am particularly proud to present this new version,” said Helibras president Richard Marelli . “This latest and unique version of the H225M is a testimony of the hard work our teams have been doing here in Brazil in close collaboration with Brazilian military customers.”
The first H225M in naval combat version is expected to be delivered to the Brazilian Navy in 2018, after the end of military certification trials. It is part of a global order for 50 H225Ms for the Brazilian armed forces, 26 of which have already been delivered to the Brazilian Air Force, Navy and Army.