WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The modernized HM-1 Pantera, a variant of the Eurocopter Panther built by Airbus Helicopters' Brazilian subsidiary, Helibras, took flight in Brazil for the first time.
The flight was conducted by teams from both Brazil's Army Aviation and Helibras in the presence of Army Aviation Materiel Director General Pedro Paulo de Mello Braga, and Army Aviation Commander General Achilles Furlan Neto. The flight test was carried out following a number of modernization adjustments to the aircraft by Brazilian technicians.
The modernization program covered 34 Pantera helicopters acquired by the Brazilian Army in 1988. Helibras says the adjustments will add 25 more years of service life, and will decrease service costs by 35 percent. The aircraft now has an increased payload capacity by over 880 pounds, with top speeds increasing from 136 miles per hour to over 160 miles per hour.
Additional upgrades include new wiring, a new hood engine with 40 percent more power, and a new panel Glass Cockpit designed to reduce workload for pilots.
