MARIGNANE, France, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Brazilian army's fleet of AS350 Ecureuil helicopters is to undergo modernization by the Brazilian subsidiary of Eurocopter.
Eurocopter said work on the 36 aircraft will be performed at facilities of Helicopteros do Brasil in the state of Minas Gerais and will be completed in 2018.
No dollar figure was given on the value of the contract.
Eurocopter's single-engine, multipurpose AS350 entered service with the Brazilian Army Aviation Command more than two decades ago and Helibras' upgrade program will ensure the continued operation of these helicopters for at least 25 additional years.
Included in the modernization is installation of a glass cockpit with three large liquid crystal displays, the integration of an Automatic Flight Control System with autopilot, and the use of improved seats for pilots for better visibility and enhanced protection.
"Technology has made huge leaps since the first AS350 entered service, with the use of digital avionics and computers providing better safety and performance, along with a lower workload for pilots," said Helibras President Eduardo Marson. "The application of our modernization package to the AS350 will significantly improve this helicopter's versatility for the Brazilian Army Aviation Command, and we are offering these enhancements for other Ecureuil operators in Brazil as well."
The AS350's new avionics will be developed by Helibras in Brazil with Sagem (Safran Group) and Aeroeletronica, based on a cooperative agreement. The displays will be supplied by Sagem Avionics Inc., while Aeroeletronica will be responsible for providing the computer and assembling the avionics system.
