http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotor ... -air-force The French Air Force has recieved the first Eurocopter AS555AN Fennec updated by Thales, it has been revealed.
The aircraft, which was delivered back to Villacoublay on 5 January, is the first of 40 Fennecs undergoing the upgrade to improve the aircraft's avionics suite, adding improved navigational aids that bring the aircraft up to the standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The upgrade programme launched in 2009 will update all the Fennecs operated by the French armed forces including the 18 used by the French Army Air Corps.
The suite includes the integration of two Garmin 430 GPS systems coupled to the autopilot, a cockpit voice recorder, transponder, and new navigation displays for the crew.
The upgrade programme will run up to 2016.
As well as updating the Fennecs operating in France from Villacoublay and Orange, aircraft serving in the Ivory Coast, Gabon and French Guinea will also be updated.