AgustaWestland Exhibits The ‘Best in Class' AW139 Search and Rescue Helicopter at Iron Wings

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is exhibiting the AW139 medium twin helicopter at Iron Wings Air Show (Siauliai, Lithuania, 25th-26th May 2012). The aircraft on display is one of the three AW139s operated by the Estonia Police and Border Guard to perform various missions but mainly focused on Search and Rescue duties.

With more than 630 AW139 helicopters sold to almost 170 customers in over 50 countries worldwide in less than 10 years since its entry into service, this model has quickly become the best selling helicopter in its category setting the new standard in the world market for a range of applications including search and rescue, emergency medical service, law enforcement, border/coastal patrol, offshore transport, VIP/corporate and passenger transport, fire fighting, utility, and a range of government tasks. A number of large fleet operators, government agencies, armed forces, private owners across geographies have chosen and introduced the AW139 into service to maximize their operational effectiveness performing a quantum leap forward in capabilities.

Thought and designed with the market rather than merely for the market, the AW139 is still unmatched in the global market as the only new generation helicopter in its class meeting the latest certification standard and requirements for performance, operational capabilities and safety. The AW139 is nowadays both a state-of-the-art and well-proven product exceeding 440,000 flight hours across the widest scope of weather, environmental and operationally demanding conditions and almost 500 units are flying today worldwide.

The AW139 boasts best-in-class performance with a maximum speed of 165 knots/306 kph, a range in excess of 500 nm/930 km, an endurance of 5 hours, and superior hover performance. The type features two powerful Pratt&Whitney engines allowing high power margins in the harshest conditions and brings added confidence during rapid deployment of personnel even in the unlikely case of one engine failure and in operations from confined area (Category "A" Class 1). This helicopter model meets the most stringent safety requirements in terms of crashworthiness and is fitted with advanced collision avoidance systems while all main systems are redundant.

The state-of-the-art flight and mission technology and integrated avionics includes an advanced glass cockpit with four large displays and a 5th mission display, a 4-axis AFCS with optional mission modes and Flight Management System. All ensures reduced crew workload and maximized situational awareness allowing the pilot to concentrate on the mission with all-weather capability and high effectiveness and safety to successfully accomplish the task.

The AW139 is provided with the largest unobstructed cabin in its category providing comfort and space for up to 15 passengers plus one besides the pilot or up to four litters plus medical attendants for aero-medical purposes. The highest flexibility and modular solutions allow easy and quick reconfiguration on a mission by mission basis varying the number and position of seats, litters and the wide range of dedicated equipment. Large doors on both sides allow ease of access and egress.

The AW139 offers a range of solutions to maximize operational effectiveness also including an increased MGW from the basic 6.4 ton up to 6.8 ton ensuring increased payload for extended range duties, a unique Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) allowing flights into know icing conditions when other types would be confined on the ground or to the hangar, sea state six capabilities for even safer offshore operations.

The AW139 also offers cost/effective support and training solutions. A reduced number of components with extended life-cycle, easy access to all main systems and a modern HUMS (health usage and monitoring system) offer exceptional operational effectiveness. A comprehensive package of training services also include Level D Full Flight Simulators for flight and mission training.

All of these qualities, characteristics and capabilities have made the AW139 the new benchmark in the SAR market with more than 80 helicopters already in service performing this mission globally. The AW139 can be fitted with dedicated SAR mission equipment including rescue hoist, weather radar, FLIR, searching light, external loudspeaker, SAR mode for automatic procedures etc. High performance allow the AW139 to be rapidly dispatched to the search area with long range and high endurance in any weather and environmental conditions, over land and sea, over mountains and across deserts or tropical areas.

Multiple leading operators worldwide using the AW139 for SAR and related multipurpose duties such as coastal/border patrol, MEDEVAC, homeland security and disaster relief tasks also include the Estonian Border Guard, UK MCA, Italian Air Force, Italian Coast Guard, Italian Guardia di Finanza, Japan Coast Guard, Korea Coast Guard, Malaysian MMEA, Spanish SASEMAR, Emergency Management Queensland, Irish Air Corps, Qatar Armed Forces, UAE Air Force, Egypt Air Force just to name a few.