Breaking news
Airbus Helicopters delivers first AS565 MBe Panther to the Mexican Navy.
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Mexican Navy AS565 MBe. Picture: Airbus Helicopters |
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“The
Mexican Navy’s first Panther helicopters came into service ten years
ago,” said Vice Admiral Jose M aria García Macedo. “Since
then they have been our most loyal ally when it comes to saving lives,
and it gives us great pleasure to expand our fleet with the more modern
version of the same aircraft. Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology
on board, the new helicopters will enhance Naval Aviation’s operational
and response capability, enabling us to carry out maritime safety missions
both day and night, in any weather and in heavy seas.” Mexican Naval Aviation’s AS565 MBe Panthers fulfill NATO’s regulatory requirements in performing landings on moving ships 24 hours a day, and are thus able to operate right across Mexico’s territorial waters. Their equipment suite includes a main- and tail-rotor blade folding system, a deck-lock harpoon and an emergency flotation system. “Naval Aviation carries out its rescue missions in the most demanding operating conditions, and we are grateful for its renewed confidence in our helicopters” said Mesrob Karalekian, Airbus Helicopters’ Vice-President for Latin America. “The contract also includes training of pilots and technicians to provide the Navy with full autonomy in managing its fleet and optimizing the availability of helicopters”. Yesterday’s delivery of the first AS565 MBe Panther is an important milestone for Airbus Helicopters and for this iconic family of helicopters, which includes 1,000 helicopters currently in service in over 72 countries and have logged up 5.8 million flight hours. |
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