Thales reports it is to modernize the avionic systems on the Brazilian Army's Esquilo/Fennec helicopters through its local subsidiary Helibras.
The modernized helicopters will receive the company's integrated electronic stand-by instrument, which performs three back up functions: artificial horizon, altimeter and airspeed indication.
The system is already outfitted on Sikorsky S-76D helicopters and has been picked by Airbus Helicopters for a variety of light and medium-lift helicopters.
"The selection of our IESI system by the Brazilian Army underlines the perfect fit of our solution for the upgrading of helicopters," said Yves Joannic, Thales vice president in charge of helicopter avionics. "Thales's IESI will offer the Brazilian Army the highest levels of reliability for their missions in any flight conditions."
Thales said its integrated electronic stand-by instrument is resistant to high-intensity radio frequencies and humidity and vibration. It can control back up a helicopter's automatic flight control system and radio management system.
A total of 36 aircraft will be upgraded with the avionics system by 2018, starting with six this year.
The value and other details of the contract were not disclosed.
