With the reception of its last H225M Super Cougar helicopter, the Brazilian Navy (MB) concluded an ambitious modernization process of its rotary-wing assets within Project H-XBR. The delivered unit, locally produced by Helibras, represents the closing of a cycle involving the incorporation of fifteen aircraft that strengthen Brazil’s maritime monitoring, defense and power-projection capabilities in the so-called “Blue Amazon.”
The last H225M Super Cougar, belonging to the AH-15B version, the local designation for aircraft with anti-surface attack capability, was delivered to the 2nd General Purpose Helicopter Squadron (EsqdHU-2) last December. Based in São Pedro da Aldeia (Rio de Janeiro), this unit operates alongside eleven other aircraft from the same program, consolidating itself as the main operational core of naval helicopters in the country. According to Lieutenant Commander Vinicius Roberto Dutra Petronilho, H-15 aircraft manager at the Navy’s Aeronautics Directorate, these platforms significantly increase the reach, endurance and payload capacity of Naval Aviation, allowing sustained search and rescue and aeromedical evacuation operations at sea.
It should be noted that EsqdHU-2 also includes in its fleet five UH-15 helicopters in the utility version, focused on humanitarian support missions, firefighting and logistical transport, together with three UH-15A aircraft assigned to combat search and rescue (CSAR) and operations in hostile environments. For its part, the 1st Northern General Purpose Helicopter Squadron (EsqdHU-41), based in Belém, received three UH-15 aircraft to strengthen its presence in the Amazon region. The UH-15A versions demonstrated their versatility during the “Aspirantex” operation, deploying from the multipurpose ship Atlântico, flagship of the Brazilian fleet.
Specifically designed for anti-surface warfare missions, the AH-15B introduced a qualitative leap in the capabilities of HU-2 Squadron. Its integrated mission system combines sensors, communication links and self-protection systems optimized for the naval environment. In addition, it is equipped with maritime surveillance radar, electro-optical sensors and the capability to integrate MBDA Exocet AM39 B2M2 air-to-surface missiles. These features make it a platform suitable for both reconnaissance and attack, operating in close coordination with surface units.
The local assembly of the fifteen aircraft for the Brazilian Navy represented an important boost for the national defense industry. The production of the H225M in Brazil enabled the development of companies supplying structural and electronic components, generating qualified jobs and fostering technology transfer.
Project H-XBR not only enabled the modernization of the Brazilian Navy’s aviation, but also that of the Brazilian Army and the Brazilian Air Force, which incorporated the HM-4 Jaguar and H-36 Caracal versions respectively. In total, the program included the manufacture of 50 helicopters with technology transfer and maintenance training.
In parallel, the Brazilian Navy is advancing with the “TH-X” project, aimed at training new naval aviators through the incorporation of fifteen H125 Esquilo helicopters. These aircraft will replace the veteran Bell JetRanger III and mark the beginning of a new stage in the training and modernization of Brazilian naval aviation.
*Image credits: Brazilian Navy.
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