The joint venture formed by SENER and Babcock Spain has been awarded a prize by the technical publication Avion Revue in the first Spanish edition of the Excellence Awards in the aerospace sector. Specifically, the magazine has recognized the joint venture’s good work in the AB-212 helicopter program to extend their operational life for the Spanish Navy, by awarding it the Avion Revue 2017 Excellence prize in the ‘Helicopters’ category.

Avion Revue has held the Excellence Awards in the aerospace sector for the first time in 2017. Divided by sectors, these awards recognize the companies that have stood out during the year for the achievement, development or introduction of significant advances in their sector and/or for an excellent performance in their field of activity.

As the prize itself recognizes, Avion Revue has awarded this prize to SENER-Babcock for its role in the lifecycle extension program (PEVH AB-212) of the seven Agusta-Bell AB-212 helicopters of the Spanish Navy, which will extend their service life by at least 15 years by incorporating advancements in equipment and avionics. In addition to the replacement of all the electrical systems and replacing the analogue cockpit with a fully digitized one, the project includes the incorporation of new capabilities such as radar, GPS navigation, the night-vision system, and self-protection and self-defense means.

In this update, SENER is responsible for the design, integration and general engineering, while Babcock is responsible for part of the design, the installation at their facilities in Albacete (Spain), ground and flight-testing, as well as the certification process with the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA). The first helicopter was delivered in December 2015, and afterwards two aircrafts per year have been supplied. The last two units will be delivered in 2018.

Thanks to this program, the helicopters will be able to operate without restriction in controlled military and civilian airspaces, in compliance with the requirement of new regulations, as well as giving them self-protection and defense systems that will allow them to be deployed in multinational missions with a low-medium threat level.

Founded in 1982, Avion Revue is a magazine specializing in commercial, general and military aviation with a presence in Spain and Latin America.