The modernized HM-1 Pantera, a variant of the Eurocopter Panther built by Airbus Helicopters' Brazilian subsidiary, Helibras, took flight in Brazil for the first time.

The flight was conducted by teams from both Brazil's Army Aviation and Helibras in the presence of Army Aviation Materiel Director General Pedro Paulo de Mello Braga, and Army Aviation Commander General Achilles Furlan Neto. The flight test was carried out following a number of modernization adjustments to the aircraft by Brazilian technicians.

The modernization program covered 34 Pantera helicopters acquired by the Brazilian Army in 1988. Helibras says the adjustments will add 25 more years of service life, and will decrease service costs by 35 percent.

The aircraft now has an increased payload capacity by over 880 pounds, with top speeds increasing from 136 miles per hour to over 160 miles per hour.

Additional upgrades include new wiring, a new hood engine with 40 percent more power, and a new panel Glass Cockpit designed to reduce workload for pilots.

Bell Helicopter names Mitch Synder as new CEO
Washington (UPI) Oct 16, 2015 - Bell Helicopter executive vice president Mitch Snyder will take over as CEO as John Garrison steps down from the post, Bell's parent company Textron announced on Thursday.

Garrison, who will be joining Terex Corporation as president and CEO following his departure from Bell Helicopter, held the post since 2009.

Snyder joined Bell in 2004, leading several of the company's strategic initiatives including the the V-22 Osprey program. He also held leadership positions with Lockheed Martin.

"Mitch steps into the leadership position during one of the most exciting times in Bell's history," said Textron chairman and CEO Scott C. Donnelly in a statement.

"He will focus on extending the great success we've built for established programs like the V-22 and H-1 military programs, while also growing our strong pipeline of new products such as the 525 Relentless, 505 Jet Ranger X and the V-280 Valor -- to name just a few."

Donnelly also thanked Garrison for his service to the company. Star-Telegram reports a drop in sales has led to Bell cutting hundreds of jobs in 2015.

Bell Helicopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. The company specializes in military manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft, and serves customers in over 120 countries.

In addition to Bell, Textron oversees Textron Systems, Cessna, Beechcraft, and a number of other businesses that produce aviation, defense and industrial products.