Mexico orders more Black Hawk helos

Sikorsky has been awarded a USD54.9 million contract to build seven "uniquely configured" UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters for Mexico, the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 12 April.
The contract is due to be completed on 28 February 2019.
The UH-60M is already in service with the Mexican Air Force, navy, and Federal Police, although this latest contract notification does not disclose an end user.
The UH-60M is the newest Black Hawk variant in service, and incorporates more powerful and reliable General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blades, and a fully digital 'glass' cockpit.
janes

Mexican Air Force selects Boeing 737-800 transports

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) will procure two Boeing 737-800 aircraft as part of a MXN3.9 billion (USD254 million) programme that so far is the sole authorised procurement project in 2015.
The aircraft will be assigned to the 502nd Air Squadron based at the No 1 Military Air Base (BAM-1) Santa Lucia, in Mexico State.
The 737-800 was selected over the Boeing 737-900ER and the Airbus A320-200.
The 502nd Squadron currently uses three Boeing 727-200 airliners built in 1981 and acquired in 2002, and a single 727-100 built in 1965 and acquired in 1981 (all second hand).
janes

Mexico Could Order Up To 50 EC-725 Helicopters From France To Be Locally Asembled

Mexico could order 50 H225M (EC-725) that would be assembled locally. A signature is expected at the July 14 national holiday where Mexico is guest of honor.
If this command is confirmed, it would be a third good news for export to Airbus, after major contracts in South Korea and Poland, and perhaps before Qatar.
Initially, Airbus Helicopters were negotiating for several months with Mexico a new order of six to twelve additional H225M complement the already ordered 15 units But discussions have accelerated there two months and took a new turn. It is no longer a dozen devices that Mexico wants but fifty H225M, which would locally assembled. Just like in Brazil, Airbus Helicopters made a proposal to that effect.
The Airbus Helicopters in Mexico was inaugurated in February 2013 in Queretaro. The plant manufactures metal components for high-tech aircraft structures, and is the only production site of tail booms Ecureuil AS350 helicopters. It hosts a service center of Ecureuil family aircraft for the operators in the region.
Besides helicopters, France and Mexico are discussing a naval cooperation, which could include the sale of buildings manufactured by DCNS.
latribune

Mexico To Buy Three UH-60M

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Mexico for UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters.
The Government of Mexico has requested a possible sale of three UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, six T700-GE-701D Engines, six H-764G Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs), six M134 7.62mm Machine Guns, three Star Safire III Forward Looking Infrared Radar Systems, three Aviation Mission Planning Systems, twelve AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles, and one Aviation Ground Power Unit. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, facility construction, air worthiness support, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, warranties, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related element of logistics and program support.
The sale of these UH-60M helicopters to Mexico will significantly increase and strengthen its capability to provide in-country airlift support for its forces engaged in counter-drug operations.
The principal contractors will be the Sikorsky and General Electric Aircraft.
dsca

Mexican Navy to get five more UH-60M Black Hawk

Sikorsky Aircraft has been awarded a contract modification for five more uniquely configured UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Mexican Navy (Armada de México - AdM).
Sikorsky is expected to complete manufacturing the UH-60Ms by 30 May 2016.
In September the Pentagon announced a contract for eight of the utility helicopters for the AdM and another deal for 18 'green' UH-60Ms for the Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Mexicana - FAM).
As the most modern variant of the Black Hawk, the UH-60M incorporates more powerful and reliable General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blades and a fully digital 'glass' cockpit.
The Mexican Federal Police (Policía Federal - PF) also operate the UH-60M. Three UH-60Ms were delivered to the AdM in August 2011, with the PF also receiving three at the same time.
The navy UH-60Ms differ slightly from those to be operated by the air force in that they are equipped with a winch and auxiliary fuel tanks. Both the AdM and PF platforms are also fitted with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, which is not listed as being requested for the FAM's UH-60Ms.
janes

Mexico orders 18 UH-60M Black Hawk

Sikorsky has been awarded a contract to build 18 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters for Mexico.
The contract,announced by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 15 September, covers the manufacture of 18 'green' UH-60M helicopters for the Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Mexicana - FAM).
In procuring the UH-60M, the FAM is looking to enhance its counter-narcotics capabilities. As the most modern variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, the UH-60M incorporates more powerful and reliable General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blades and a fully digital 'glass' cockpit.
janes

Mexican Air Force to buy Bell 407GX Helicopters

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) plans to spend USD554 million on four new projects that would buy a total of 23 aircraft.
The first project is to buy 14 Bell 407GX light helicopters that are to be configured for narcotics eradication and armed escort missions.
Bell 407GXs are to operate in pairs, with one helicopter performing aerial spraying of marijuana or poppy plantations while covered by an armed escort. The Bell 407GXs will replace similarly configured Bell 206B/Ls operated by the 111th Air Squadron based at No.5 Military Airbase (BAM-5) in Zapopan, Jalisco.
janes

Mexico orders next batch of T-6C+ Texan IIs

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has issued a follow-up contract for a fourth batch of Beechcraft T-6C+ Texan II armed trainers.
This project is the largest so far and follows three previous tranches for 24 Texans, which were procured to equip the Air Force Air Tactical Military School at the No.11 Military Air Base (BAM-11) in Santa Gertrudis, Chihuahua, and the 402nd Air Squadron based at BAM-2 in Ixtepec, Oaxaca.
The new aircraft are to begin replacing the Pilatus PC-7 light interceptor and close air support aircraft that has been in service with the 201st, 202nd, and 203rd Air Squadrons.
janes

Mexico selects Grob trainer

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has selected the Grob Aircraft G120TP twin-seat turboprop as its new elementary trainer.
A deal worth USD110 million for 25 G120TPs, along with a flight simulator and logistics support plus options on a further 15, was first reported by local media on 21 July.
The contract has yet to be signed, but is imminent. The FAM expects that an initial batch of G120TP is to be delivered by February 2015, when the service celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The selection is part of a major overhaul of Mexico's Military Education System contained in the 2013-18 National Defense Programme, which also includes the T-6C Texan II advanced trainer and emphasises on the use of flight simulators.
janes

Mexican Air Force modernising and expanding Mi-17 fleet

From mid-June to early July at least two Antonov An-124-100 transports ferried at least nine Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Mexicana - FAM) Mi-17 Hip helicopters to a Russian Helicopters facility, where they will go through a comprehensive modernisation programme with re-deliveries scheduled to begin in 2015.
As of May 2014, the FAM announced it operated 19 Mi-17s along with two Mi-8Ts. It's understood that all surviving Mi-17s are to undergo the modernisation process.
Mexico originally procured 24 Mi-17 Hip-H transport helicopters in two batches of 12 each in 1996 and 1998 - with deliveries ending in 1999 - as well as 12 secondhand Mi-8T Hip-C cargo versions that have been deactivated and replaced with a similar number of Airbus Helicopter EC725s.
janes

Mexico starts A400M evaluation

Mexico is conducting an evaluation of the A400M. One of the development aircraft is taxied at Mexico City’s international airport, from where it will “show its performance in a series of demonstration flights”.
The aircraft is scheduled to remain in Mexico until 23 May.
Mexico’s air force is an existing operator of the Airbus C295 medium transport, along with rival manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi’s C-27J Spartan. Mexico's current tactical airlift inventory as including a mix of five Lockheed Martin C-130E/K Hercules built between 1964 and 1968 and one civilian-standard L-100. The service has previously shown interest in possibly acquiring a pair of new-generation C-130Js from the USA.
flightglobal

U.S. approves sale of 18 Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico

The U.S. government on Monday said it had approved the potential sale of 18 UH-60M Black Hawk.
The State Department approved the possible sale and Congress was notified last Thursday by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales.
U.S. lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare.
The deal was announced ahead of an upcoming trip to Mexico by US Defense Secretary.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale would significantly increase and strengthen Mexico's ability to provide in-country airlift support for forces fighting drug trafficking organizations.
reuters

Mexican navy orders two Beechcraft T-6 trainers

Mexico is expanding its fleet of Beechcraft T-6C Texan trainers with a new order for two aircraft by the nation's navy.
The aircraft, designated T-6C+ models, will be delivered this summer.
Beechcraft, is also working on a contract to provide two years of parts support, pilot and mechanic training and field support to the Mexican navy.
The Mexican air force already has six T-6s, and has placed an order for an additional six aircraft.
The announcement comes two months after news broke that New Zealand will buy 11 T-6Cs.
flightglobal

Mexican Air Force Close to Signing Learjet Deal

At the recent Airshow at McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS, a Bombardier Learjet 45 in Mexican Air Force markings was on display. An order for two is apparently imminent, and the other aircraft did a flyby later in the day to and from Wichita Mid-Continent, the manufacturer's home base. The FAM currently flies 3 older Learjet 35/36 models, and these newer aircraft may be replacements.

aviationweek

Mexico seeking two C-130Js

The U.S. Congress has been notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on a potential sale of two C-130Js to Mexico.

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First Completed T-6C Trainers Delivered to Mexico

Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) announced the first four of six Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainers ordered by the Mexican Air Force (FAM) were delivered in a ceremony this week at Santa Lucia Air Force Base in Reyes Acozac, Mexico. The remaining two aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in time for Mexico’s Independence Day celebration on Sept. 16.

FAM’s order is the first for the new T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft. It is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes, and will replace the FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet. The FAM will use the T-6C+ for intermediate to advanced tactics including air-to-ground weapons employment capabilities and training.

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México pide helicópteros Cougar Adicionales/ Mexico orders more Cougars

El ministerio de Defensa de México, ha pedido seis helicópteros Eurocopter EC725 Cougar adicionales a los que pidió en Marzo de 2009.
El EC 725 se utilizará para tranporte y misiones civiles. Las entregas comenzarán en el segundo cuarto de 2011 y serán entregados por la división mexicana de Eurocopter, con sede en el aeropuerto internacional de Ciudad de México.
key.Aero
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The Mexican Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered six Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopters, adding to the six ordered in March 2009.
The EC 725s will be used by the Mexican Air Force for transport and civil security tasks. Deliveries will commence from the second quarter of 2011. The helicopters will be provided by Eurocopter’s Mexican division, Eurocopter de México, based at Mexico City International Airport.
key.Aero