{{Short description|Helicopter manufacturer in Brazil}} {{Infobox company | name = Helibras | logo = File:Helibras.png | logo_size = 250px | type = Joint Stock | foundation = 1978 | location = Itajubá, Minas Gerais, Brazil | key_people = Gilberto Peralta,<ref>[https://www.helibras.com.br/website/po/press/Gilberto-Peralta-%C3%A9-nomeado-Presidente-do-Conselho-da-Helibras_551.html#:~:text=S%C3%A3o%20Paulo%2C%2013%20de%20julho,e%20subsidi%C3%A1ria%20da%20Airbus%20Helicopters. Gilberto Peralta - Helibras]</ref> President | num_employees = 500 | industry = Aerospace / Defense | products = Helicopters, aircraft components, mission systems for air and ground operation | revenue = R$703 million | parent = Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) | homepage = {{URL|helibras.com.br}} }}
'''Helibras''' or ''Helicópteros do Brasil'' S.A. (Helicopters of Brazil, Inc.) is a Brazil-based helicopter manufacturer which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus.
Helibras has produced and delivered more than 800 helicopters,<ref>[https://www.helibras.com.br/website/po/press/Helibras-destacar%C3%A1-sua-import%C3%A2ncia-estrat%C3%A9gica-para-a-ind%C3%BAstria-nacional-na-LAAD_530.html Helibras]</ref> 70% of which being the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (known in Portuguese as ''Esquilo''). Ten percent of total production is exported to Latin American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.<ref>[https://www.convergenciacom.net/images/Livro_35_anos-29-11_em%20baixa.pdf Helibras]</ref> Helibras leads the Brazilian market of turbine helicopters in operation, the company's rotorcraft comprising 54 per cent of those used in the civilian market. It has a greater lead within the domestic military market, the company's share being roughly 66 per cent.<ref>[https://www.convergenciacom.net/images/Livro_35_anos-29-11_em%20baixa.pdf Helibras]</ref>
==History==
Helibras was founded on 1 January 1978 in São Jose dos Campos, São Paulo state, Brazil. Since 1980, the company has been located in Itajubá, a city and municipality in southwestern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Formerly, Helibras was jointly owned by MGI ''Participações'' (MGI Investments – owned by the government of the federal state of Minas Gerais), Bueninvest and Eurocopter. As of 2006, Helibras became a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) which in turn is owned by Airbus Group.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.helibras.com.br/eurocopter.asp |title= Eurocopter |access-date=19 December 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100223024454/http://www.helibras.com.br/eurocopter.asp |archive-date=23 February 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref> It is the only manufacturer of helicopters in Latin America.
The most numerous helicopter type to be produced by Helibras is the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil; of the 600 helicopters that the company has domestically manufactured for the Brazilian market by 2012, 70 per cent were AS350s.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121002/DEFREG02/310020007/Eurocopter-Unit-Inaugurates-Chopper-Plant-Brazil "Eurocopter Unit Inaugurates Chopper Plant in Brazil.]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''Defense news'', 2 October 2012.</ref> Brazil has been a major market for the AS350; by 2011 more than 300 helicopters were reportedly operating throughout the country, including from the flight deck of the Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo.<ref name = "hebr upgr">[http://www.helicoptermaintenancemagazine.com/article/eurocopter%E2%80%99s-helibras-subsidiary-modernize-36-as350-ecureuil-helicopters-operated-brazilian- "Eurocopter’s Helibras Subsidiary to Modernize 36 AS350 Ecureuil Helicopters Operated by the Brazilian Army Aviation Command.] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150617055110/http://www.helicoptermaintenancemagazine.com/article/eurocopter%E2%80%99s-helibras-subsidiary-modernize-36-as350-ecureuil-helicopters-operated-brazilian- |date=17 June 2015 }}", ''Helicopter Maintenance Magazine'', 1 February 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newszentech-to-support-brazilian-aircraft-carrier-sao-paulos-upgrade-programme-4571216 "Zentech to support Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo’s upgrade programme.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614232732/http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newszentech-to-support-brazilian-aircraft-carrier-sao-paulos-upgrade-programme-4571216 |date=14 June 2015 }}", ''naval-technology'', 7 May 2015.</ref> Since 1984, the Brazilian Navy has used AS350s to support the Brazilian Antarctic Program.<ref>Morant, Belen. [http://www.airbushelicopters.com/w1/jrotor/80/fidae%20(5).html "The Brazilian Navy: The Ecureuil in Antarctica.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614122305/http://www.airbushelicopters.com/w1/jrotor/80/fidae%20(5).html |date=14 June 2015 }}", ''Rotor Online'', April 2009.</ref> In January 2011, Helibras signed a contract with the Brazilian Army to substantially upgrade and refurbish their existing fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils.<ref>[https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=tr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=tr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.savunmasanayi.net%2Fas350lere-genclik-iksiri%2Fas350lere-genclik-iksiri%2F&act=url "Elixir of Youth for AS350] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421074324/http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=tr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=tr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.savunmasanayi.net%2Fas350lere-genclik-iksiri%2Fas350lere-genclik-iksiri%2F&act=url |date=21 April 2017 }}", ''SavunmaSanayi.Net'', 6 January 2011.</ref>
[[File:Brazilian helicopters conduct deck landing qualifications aboard PCU America 140804-N-LQ799-090.jpg|thumb|left|A Brazilian EC725 preparing to land on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS ''America'', 2014]] The Eurocopter AS565 Panther helicopter was another licensed design produced locally by Helibras. During 1988, the Brazilian Army Aviation took delivery of its first Panthers. In January 2010, Helibras was awarded a contract to upgrade 34 AS365K Panthers to the new AS365 K2 standard.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/helibras-to-upgrade-brazilian-army-panthers-336976/ "Helibras to upgrade Brazilian army Panthers."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208131113/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/helibras-to-upgrade-brazilian-army-panthers-336976/ |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 11 January 2010.</ref> Changes on the Panther K2 include new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2CG engines which produce 40% more power, a glass cockpit containing new avionics and radio systems, a four-axis autopilot, a new weather radar, NVG-compatibility, and measures to reduce pilot workload, and shall extend the airframe's service life for a further 25 years.<ref name = "upi 2014">Tomkins, Richard. [http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/09/17/Modernization-of-Brazilian-Army-helicopters-to-continue/6431410922403/ "Modernization of Brazilian Army helicopters to continue."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208191017/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/09/17/Modernization-of-Brazilian-Army-helicopters-to-continue/6431410922403/ |date=8 December 2015 }} ''United Press International'', 17 September 2014.</ref> In March 2014, the first two Panther K2 rotorcraft were delivered to the Brazilian Army.<ref>[https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/press/Helibras-begins-deliveries-of-upgraded-AS365-Panther-K2-helicopters-to-the-Brazilian-Army_1427.html "Helibras begins deliveries of upgraded AS365 Panther K2 helicopters to the Brazilian Army."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208192852/https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/press/Helibras-begins-deliveries-of-upgraded-AS365-Panther-K2-helicopters-to-the-Brazilian-Army_1427.html |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Airbus Helicopters'', 13 March 2014.</ref> In September 2014, the Panther K2 passed its technical operation evaluation, having reportedly demonstrated a 98% availability rating throughout the trial period, clearing the way for the full modernisation program to proceed.<ref name = "upi 2014"/>
During September 2008, the Brazilian Government announced that Helibras' factory in Itajubá, Minas Gerais, would produce an initial 50 Eurocopter EC725s under a $1 billion order.<ref>{{cite news |last=Farias |first=Ivy |title=Brasil produzirá em Minas Gerais helicópteros para as Forças Armadas |date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Agência Brasil |url=http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/noticias/2008/09/08/materia.2008-09-08.2525261585/view }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on 11 July 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Brazil-Signs-1B-Production-Deal-for-Cougar-Helicopters-04959/ "Brazil’s $1B+ Order for EC725 Cougar Helicopters."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725135703/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Brazil-Signs-1B-Production-Deal-for-Cougar-Helicopters-04959/ |date=25 July 2015 }} ''Defense Industry Daily'', 5 January 2012.</ref> These 50 helicopters are to be used by the Brazilian Navy, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and Brazilian Army.<ref name = "jul 15 deliv">[http://www.defesanet.com.br/en/e_helibras/noticia/19644/Continued-delivery-of-the-H225M-for-the-Brazilian-armed-forces-despite-announcement-of-2-year-delay/ "Continued delivery of the H225M for the Brazilian armed forces despite announcement of 2 year delay."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225044712/http://www.defesanet.com.br/en/e_helibras/noticia/19644/Continued-delivery-of-the-H225M-for-the-Brazilian-armed-forces-despite-announcement-of-2-year-delay/ |date=25 December 2015 }} ''defesanet'', 3 July 2015.</ref> By December 2010, three helicopters were undergoing flight tests prior to entering military service. In 2012, Helibras began assembly of the rest of the order.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/21/351174/brazils-armed-forces-test-fly-ec725.html|access-date=2 January 2011|title=Brazil's armed forces test-fly EC725|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225151756/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/21/351174/brazils-armed-forces-test-fly-ec725.html|archive-date=25 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, Helibras and MBDA were in the process of integrating the anti-ship Exocet missile, which are also 50%-built in Brazil.<ref>[http://aviationweek.com/awin-only/helibras-integrating-exocet-ec725-helicopter "Helibras Integrating Exocet Onto EC725 Helicopter."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713024315/http://aviationweek.com/awin-only/helibras-integrating-exocet-ec725-helicopter |date=13 July 2015 }} ''Aviation Week'', 29 April 2014.</ref> On 19 June 2014, the Brazilian Navy formally accepted delivery of the first EC725.<ref>Perry, Dominic. [http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-helicopters-hands-over-first-ec725-fully-assembled-in-400578/ "Airbus Helicopters hands over first EC725 fully assembled in Brazil."] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144824/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-helicopters-hands-over-first-ec725-fully-assembled-in-400578/ |date=2 April 2015}} ''Flight International'', 19 June 2014.</ref> By July 2015, the Brazilian armed forces had taken delivery of 16 H225Ms; deliveries were reported at the time to continue until 2019.<ref name = "jul 15 deliv"/> By 1 October 2015, Brazil's H225M fleet had attained 10,000 flight hours.<ref>[https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/press/Brazilian-Armed-Forces-Exceed-10,000-flight-hours-with-H225M_1839.html "Brazilian Armed Forces Exceed 10,000 Flight Hours with H225M."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225045655/https://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/press/Brazilian-Armed-Forces-Exceed-10,000-flight-hours-with-H225M_1839.html |date= 25 December 2015}} ''Airbus Helicopters'', 1 October 2015.</ref> In December 2015, Helibras delivered the first pair of H225Ms to be delivered to a full operational capability (FOC) standard to the Brazilian military.<ref>Dominic, Perry. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/brazilian-army-and-air-force-take-first-foc-standard-420284/ "Brazilian army and air force take first FOC-standard H225Ms."] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151225033942/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/brazilian-army-and-air-force-take-first-foc-standard-420284/ |date=25 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 22 December 2015.</ref>
==Products== <!-- Please list only products actually manufactured in Brazil -->
===Civil=== *EC120 Colibri *AS350 B2 Esquilo *AS350 B3 Esquilo *AS355 *EC130 *EC135
===Military=== *AS532 *AS550 *AS555 *EC635 *EC725
==See also== * Defense industry of Brazil * Cicaré * AeroDreams * RACA S.A.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.helibras.com.br Helibras]
{{Eurocopter}} Category:Defence companies of Brazil Category:Airbus Helicopters Category:Airbus subsidiaries and divisions Category:Companies based in Minas Gerais Category:Helicopter manufacturers of Brazil Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1978 Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Brazil Category:Brazilian brands Category:Brazilian companies established in 1978 Category:Brazilian subsidiaries of foreign companies