Mexican Navy receives final Panthers
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the final two AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to the Mexican Navy during a delivery ceremony in Marignane, France, the company announced on 6 December.
The Mexican Navy ordered ten units under a contract placed in 2014. The first four helicopters were delivered in 2016 and the remaining six during 2017.
The helicopters are stationed at three naval bases in the Mexican states of Veracruz, Sonora and Michoacan, where they are deployed for reconnaissance, patrol, maritime SAR, disaster relief, external load operations and air ambulance missions.
The Panther features a cargo hook, a rescue hoist, forward-looking infrared for night rescue missions and four stretchers for medical evacuation.
Equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines, the AS565 MBe helicopter can operate in hot and high conditions and achieve a top speed of 278km/h and a range of 780kms. The helicopter also features a new main gearbox, a latest-generation tail rotor and a four-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes search and rescue operations easier.
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