New lease of life for Navy Panthers
Eurocopter is test flying a mid-life update for the French Navy’s small fleet of Panther shipboard helicopters.
The prototype AS565 Panther Mk 2 (aircraft 505) first flew last November, but work on the programme was only publicly revealed this week as the aircraft was displayed statically at Hyeres Naval Air Station in South East France.
Work on the project began back in 2003, in conjunction with 36 Flotille, the main operating squadron of the type and the DGA.
Key aims of the update programme are to reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness and add a self-protection system to the type.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Defence Helicopter
-
Black Hawks help Croatian shift to Western equipment
The first pair of UH-60M Black Hawks has been airlifted from the US to Croatia, with two more on order.
-
Sikorsky and RCAF set to make final determination on cause of CH-148 tail cracks
As repairs continue on RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, Sikorsky say it expects to make a final determination on what caused tail crack damage.
-
One down, 16 to go as Spain receives first remanufactured Chinook
Spain is part of a European trend to modernise CH-47 Chinooks.
-
NAVAIR awards two King Stallion contract modifications
With IOT&E completion due this month, NAVAIR has modified contracts for CH-53K Lot 6 LRIP and procurement of long-lead items for Lot 7 LRIP.
-
UK orders more Airbus helicopters
Five extra H135s are being supplied by Airbus to the UK MoD.
-
Morocco to receive Apache Guardian training equipment
Tactical Engagement Simulation System kits are included in the latest aspect of the FMS deal to sell AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters to Morocco.