09.10.2015 Defense Studies

Contracts Announced Worth 140 Million Euro

New contracts worth a total of 140 million Euro for Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland helicopters. During the Helitech International Show held in London, the company announced orders for the AW139 and AW169 new-generation helicopter models, by both commercial and Governmental European and Asian customers for a total amount of eleven.

Among the operators to mention which have chosen the AgustaWestland’s new-generation helicopters is the Royal Thai Army, that will use eight AW139s for transport and utility services in addition to the two currently in service and the company Heliservices International GmbH which will use its new AW169 for offshore activities in the North Sea.

The helicopters ordered will be used for the implementation of a variety of missions, like passengers transport, law enforcement and offshore transport; and the entry into service of these machines, specifically ten AW139s and one AW169, is planned to take place between the end of 2015 and the end of 2016.

The AW139 and AW169 helicopters, thanks to great performances, cutting-edge technology and operating flexibility, have reached a unique success in their respective categories (intermediate for the world class leading AW139 and light intermediate for the recently certified AW169), obtaining a total of over 1,000 orders signed to date on the world market. The AW139 is the best selling helicopter in its category, with over nine hundred ordered, while the AW169 is the first new-generation helicopter in its category that has been launched on the market in the last thirty years presenting cutting-edge technological solutions in equipment, rotors, re-configuration capability for each mission, emissions reduction and safety standards.

(Finmeccanica)

The AW139 belongs to AgustaWestland's family of new generation helicopters. Photo AgustaWestland - A Finmeccanica Company.

15 July 2014 airforce-technology.com

Bangladesh has ordered two AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters, along with a support and training package, from AgustaWestland.

The Finmeccanica subsidiary will supply the helicopters by the end of 2015.

The helicopters are expected to be operated by the air force to perform maritime search-and-rescue (SAR) operations in all weather conditions. They will also be used to conduct missions in support of maritime security and disaster relief.

The advanced mission configuration of the Bangladeshi AW139s will include search / weather radar, forward looking infrared, search light, rescue hoist, emergency floats and a four-axis dual digital automatic flight control system with hover and SAR modes.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C turboshaft engines, the AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized helicopter.

"The helicopters are expected to be operated by the air force to perform maritime search and rescue operations."

In addition to SAR, the helicopter is widely used for offshore passenger transport, law enforcement, emergency medical service, VIP / corporate transport and firefighting.

The chopper belongs to AgustaWestland's family of new generation helicopters, and has the same flight characteristics and safety features as the other members, such as the AW169 and AW189.

All three helicopters share common cockpit concept and design philosophy.

AgustaWestland has simultaneously won contracts for the supply of one AW139 each for Japan and the UK.

The Yokohama City Fire Department in Japan has ordered an AW139, the second in its fleet, while an undisclosed customer from the UK has ordered the helicopter for VIP transport.

Last week, Australia ordered six helicopters for emergency medical service.

AgustaWestland has more than 770 orders for AW139 from 60 countries including Italy, Spain, Estonia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Sweden and the UK.

24 June 2013 by defenceWeb

The Mauritanian Air Force has ordered two AW109 helicopters and the Senegalese Air Force a single AW139 from AgustaWestland, the company has announced.

The contract with Mauritania was signed on June 17 at the Paris Air Show during a ceremony attended by Colonel Hereitani of the Mauritanian Air Force and Geoff Hoon, AgustaWestland’s Managing Director of International Business.

AgustaWestland said the twin-engined AW109 Power helicopters would be used for border patrol and reconnaissance missions, and would be delivered in mid-2014 in a multi-role homeland security configuration.

The contract also includes a comprehensive training and support package that will be delivered both in Italy and on-site to ensure a quick and effective entry into operational service for the aircraft, AgustaWestland added.

Mauritania’s Air Force only flies two other helicopters – Chinese Harbin Z-9As delivered in 2003, according to the Jane’s Information Group.

The Mauritanian Air Force has been growing in recent times, especially in response to Islamic terrorist organisations operating in the region. Four Embraer EMB-312F Tucanos were received from France in 2010 and 2011, while the nation began taking delivery of new Super Tucanos in October 2012.

Also at the Paris Air Show, AgustaWestland announced that it had signed a contract for a single AW139 medium helicopter, which will be operated by the Senegal Air Force. It will most likely be used for VIP transport.

The contract marks the entrance of AgustaWestland helicopters in the regional market, the company said, and includes in-country support services and training for both aircrew and maintainers.

Senegal is also expanding its air force, with the country recently ordering three A-29 Super Tucanos from Embraer. The contract was signed on April 10 this year.

The AW109 Power variant, which can be flown by a single pilot, features a digital glass cockpit with six liquid crystal instrument displays providing the aircrew with flight, systems and mission data. It can cruise at a maximum speed of 285 km/h. Nearly 480 AW109s are in service in around 50 countries, with almost one third of these being operated by government customers.

The AW109’s larger sibling, the AW139, can cruise at 306 km/h over nearly a thousand kilometres. Around 720 have been sold in almost 60 countries to over 200 customers for many roles including VIP/corporate transport, passenger transport, law enforcement, fire fighting, offshore transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services, disaster relief and maritime patrol.