Brazil gets 25th modernized Fennec helicopter.

Airbus Helicopter's Brazilian subsidiary, Helibras, announced Oct. 7 that it was preparing to deliver the 25th modernized AS550A2 Fennec helicopter to the 1st Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian Army's aviation branch.

AS-555 Fennec (Picture source: Dylan Agbagni)

The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS550 Fennec (now H125M) and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group (now Airbus Helicopters). Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the fennec fox. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions

Helibras is currently in the process of updating the entirety of the Brazilian Army's Fennec fleet, consisting of 36 rotorcraft in total. The retrofit package includes the integration of a new glass cockpit system, improved navigational and communications systems and a range of other improvements.

The modernization program is expected to extend the helicopters operational service life for another 25 years.