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Spanish Navy receives AB-212 helicopter
08th August 2017 - 12:30 by The Shephard News Team
Sener and Babcock have delivered the fourth
upgraded AB-212 helicopter to the Spanish Ministry of Defence, Sener announced
on 4 August.
The delivery is a part of a modernisation
project to extend the lifespan of seven AB-212 helicopters by at
least 15 years. The fleet has been in service since 1974.
The helicopter has been delivered to the Rota Naval Base
in Cádiz, Spain, where it has joined the already three upgraded aircraft which
are operational.
Two further aircraft will undergo the upgrade, along with
the prototype which is being used for development and certification purposes,
for delivery between 2017 and 2018.
The AB-212 upgrade involves full replacement of the
electrical systems and a digitised cockpit. It also includes new
functionalities such as radar, GPS navigation, night vision system, protection
and self-defence systems.
The upgraded AB-212 can be operated without restriction
in controlled military or civil airspace and in compliance with all the
requirements of new regulations.
Life extension program of the AB-212 helicopters
The program for the modernization of seven Agusta Bell
helicopters of the Spanish Navy in service since 1974, will extend their
operational life in at least 15 years, incorporating advances in equipment and
avionics. New mission systems such as radar, night vision system, and
self-protection means, among others, have been also included to allow them to
assume new roles and eff ectively operate in national and international
scenarios more and more demanding.
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The objectives pursued with the program are to:
- Allow
the operation without restrictions within both military and civil
controlled airspaces, in accordance with all requirements of newest
regulations.
- Provide
the helicopters with self-protection and self-defense means to allow them
to be deployed in multinational missions with low-level threat
environment.
- Upgrade
the helicopters with state-of-the-art systems to assume their new role of
maritime surveillance operating from OPV (Oceanic Patrol Vessel) type
ships.
Completed tasks:
- Update
of the helicopter power generation systems including restructure and
replacement of wiring.
- Replacement
of navigation, avionics systems and engine instrumentation for a glass
cockpit, NVG compatible, integrated mission system and the modernization of
communications systems.
- Integration
of equipment to enhance their mission capabilities including:
- Surveillance
radar
- EO/IR
Vision system
- Self-protection
and self defense systems (ballistic protection, missile warning system
MAWS, and a Gatling type defensive weapon)
- GPS
navigation system with moving map
- Cargo
hoist.
SENER Group
SENER Group
SENER Group
SENER Group
SENER Group
SENER Group
SENER Group
The upgrade of the AB212 helicopters, as well as full replacement of the electrical systems and replacing the analogue cockpit for a fully digitalized one, also includes new functionalities such as radar, GPS navigation, night vision system, and protection and self-defense systems etc., all of which are essential to effective operations in an ever more demanding national and international context. As a matter of fact, some of these helicopters upgraded by SENER-Babcock are aboard frigates that operate off the coast of Libya, participating in challenging missions and, according to the Spanish Navy itself, they are providing a very satisfactory response.
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engineeringandconstruction.sener
Source: aerospace.sener
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D Twin-Pac
Technical data: redstar.gr
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