The Mexican Navy took delivery of the first of ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters on Oct. 28 from Airbus Helicopters, the company said Oct. 29.
Mexico originally purchased these helicopters in 2014 and, with the delivery, is becoming the first global customer to receive the newest version of the Panther. The Mexican Navy is set to receive three more units before the end of the year, with the remaining six planned to be delivered by early 2018.
Mexico plans to have its navy operate the helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Pacific coast. The Panthers will perform missions including search and rescue (SAR), disaster relief transportation and evacuation, drug enforcement, and coastal protection.
The AS565 MBe is equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines that give it a top speed of nearly 173 mph and a range of almost 485 miles. The helicopter also has a new main gearbox, a latest-generation tail rotor and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes demanding missions like SAR easier to perform, Airbus said.
Airbus highlighted this model of AS565 MBe Panthers also fulfill NATO’s regulatory requirements in performing landing on moving ships 24 hours a day, so they are able to operate across Mexico’s territorial waters. The sale’s equipment suite also includes a main and tail-rotor blade folding system, a deck-lock harpoon, and an emergency flotation system.