Tag Archives: AS565 MBe Panther

Air Force

Indonesian Panther

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first three of the 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to Indonesia, ahead of contract schedule, at a ceremony at Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters in Marignane, in the presence of representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian Navy.

First three of 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters handed over to PT Dirgantara Indonesia
First three of 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters handed over to PT Dirgantara Indonesia

This follows the contract signature in late 2014 with PT Dirgantara Indonesia for 11 AS565 MBe helicopters. The delivery of the remaining helicopters will run through to 2018.

«We are excited to witness the handover of the first three AS565 MBe helicopters to our partner today», said Janick Blanc, Head of the Panther programme at Airbus Helicopters. «The AS565 MBe has been developed using state-of-the-art processes and this enhanced variant of the Panther will benefit from an increased maximum take-off weight at 9,921 lbs/4,500 kg. This will provide increased mission capabilities, specifically for the Anti-Submarine Warfare missions these rotorcrafts are expected to perform», he added.

Under the agreement, Airbus Helicopters will supply the AS565 MBe helicopters to its Indonesia industrial partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia, who will reassemble and outfit these rotorcraft in-country, acting as the design authority. This will notably cover the installation of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) suite which includes a dipping sonar and torpedo launch systems, allowing the Indonesian Navy to carry out its most demanding missions.

This Indonesian MBe Panther programme is the latest of a long-standing relationship between Airbus Helicopters and PT Dirgantara Indonesia, who celebrated their 40 years of strategic partnership earlier this month. The two companies have delivered more than 190 helicopters together, through joint programmes over the last four decades.

«We have been working with Airbus Helicopters on numerous projects for many years by now, and this milestone today further illustrates the commitment both companies have towards this programme», said Budi Santoso, CEO and President of PT Dirgantara Indonesia. «We look forward to receiving these green helicopters in Bandung, as we ready to start the installation of the mission equipment, and the subsequent qualification and certification of our future anti-submarine warfare helicopters», he added.

Recognised as one of the world’s most capable light/medium anti-submarine warfare platforms, the AS565 MBe is equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines, which enhance the helicopter’s performance in high and hot conditions, while enabling it to achieve a top speed of 165 knots/190 mph/305 km/h and a range of 485 miles/781 kilometres. It also boasts a new main gearbox, the latest-generation tail rotor and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes the most demanding missions easier to perform.

Deliveries to run through to 2018
Deliveries to run through to 2018

 

Characteristics

CAPACITY
Crew 2 pilot + 10 troops
Sling load: 3,527 lbs/1,600 kg
WEIGHT
Maximum Takeoff weight (internal or external load) 4,500 kg/9,921 lbs
ENGINE
2 Turbomeca Arriel 2N turboshaft engines, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)
Maximum power per engine (OEI 30-second rating) 842 kW/1,129 shp
PERFORMANCE AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, SL, ISA
Fast cruise speed 143 knots/164 mph/264 km/h
Top speed 165 knots/190 mph/305 km/h
Range with optional auxiliary tanks (at RCS 145 knots/167 mph/269 km/h) 422 NM/485 miles/781 km
AS565 MBe will bring increased mission capabilities, specifically for anti-submarine warfare missions
AS565 MBe will bring increased mission capabilities, specifically for anti-submarine warfare missions
Air Force

Mexican Panther

On September 28, the Mexican Navy took delivery of the first of the ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters it purchased in 2014, becoming the first customer in the world to receive the new version of this multi-role, medium-class military rotorcraft. The Navy will receive three other units before the end of the year and the remaining six by early 2018.

With more than ten years’ experience of flying the Panther, the Mexican Navy is the launch customer for the upgraded AS565 MBe variant
With more than ten years’ experience of flying the Panther, the Mexican Navy is the launch customer for the upgraded AS565 MBe variant

The helicopters will be operated by the Naval Aviation in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Pacific coast, where they will perform a range of missions including Search and Rescue (SAR), disaster relief transportation and evacuation, drug enforcement and coastal protection.

The AS565 MBe combines new and proven technologies to offer more value to operators. It is equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines, which enhance its performance in hot & high conditions and enable it to achieve a top speed of 150 knots/173 mph/278 km/h and a range of 422 NM/485 miles/781 kilometers. It also boasts a new main gearbox, a latest-generation tail rotor and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes the most demanding missions, such as SAR, easier to perform. More powerful and efficient, the AS565 MBe is also safer, more cost-effective and easier to operate.

«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.

More powerful and efficient in hot & high environments, the new version is also safer, more cost-effective and easier to maintain
More powerful and efficient in hot & high environments, the new version is also safer, more cost-effective and easier to maintain

 

Characteristics

CAPACITY
Crew 2 pilot + 10 troops
Sling load: 3,527 lbs/1,600 kg
WEIGHT
Maximum Takeoff weight (internal or external load) 4,500 kg/9,921 lbs
ENGINE
2 Turbomeca Arriel 2N turboshaft engines, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)
Maximum power per engine (OEI 30-second rating) 842 kW/1,129 shp
PERFORMANCE AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT, SL, ISA
Fast cruise speed 143 knots/164 mph/264 km/h
Top speed 150 knots/173 mph/278 km/h
Range with optional auxiliary tanks (at RCS 145 knots/167 mph/269 km/h) 422 NM/485 miles/781 km