FLIR announced a partnership with AeroBRAS Industria Aeronautica Brasileira LTDA., to expand their presence in the Latin American region through the opening of a service center in Taubate, Brazil.

Founded in 2008, AeroBRAS houses a team of engineers and technicians who provide retrofit services including design, manufacturing and installation of electrical systems on military aircrafts. At this new facility, FLIR Systems and AeroBRAS will perform system training and maintenance of FLIR products throughout Latin America, including the strong presence of sensors within the Brazilian Air Force, Army, Navy and Regional Police.

"With growing demand from our customers throughout Latin America, it has become imperative for us to provide a facility that's geographically practical to provide our standard of total support capability through rapid response and fast turnaround," said Bill Sundermeier, president of FLIR Detection & Protection. "The new service center in Sao Paulo will complement our existing network of centers located throughout the world."

The service center will house capabilities to repair airborne systems including Star SAFIRE(r) products. The facility is estimated to be open for repairs by June 2011.