AgustaWestland 28 febbraio 2013 15:15
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the sale of a further VIP-transport configured AW169 light intermediate helicopter in Australia. The contract was signed with an undisclosed customer during the opening day at the Avalon Airshow on February 26th. This order brings to four the number of leading Australian businessmen who have selected the new generation AW169 twin engine helicopter to meet their VIP transport requirement. This latest helicopter will perform its missions in New South Wales.
Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “This latest sale testifies how popular the all new AW169 has become among VIP customers in Australia and elsewhere in the world. We are proud to support this customer’s VIP transport needs with a product which represents a significant advance compared to anything available today in its weight category.”
This order further expands the success of this all new model in Australasia, where the type has already been chosen by several operators, particularly for VIP/corporate and emergency medical service missions. Over 70 AW169s have already been ordered by more than 30 customers in over 10 countries worldwide to perform a range of roles. The programme development is on schedule with all four prototypes now in flight and civil certification to be obtained in 2014.
A versatile, new generation twin engine light intermediate category helicopter, the AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. The 4.5 tonne AW169 incorporates several new technology features to provide the highest levels of safety and operational benefits for its customers. New generation technologies are incorporated in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems. The AW169 is set to be the most advanced and cost effective helicopter in its class for EMS, SAR, law enforcement, corporate and offshore transport missions.
The AW169 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW139 and AW189 models, which posses the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories.
AgustaWestland has sold more than 40 commercial helicopters of various types in Australia to perform various roles including corporate/VIP transport, search and rescue, offshore transport, law enforcement and medical transport. AgustaWestland’s commitment to also enhancing the level of maintenance services supplied locally will be crucial to allow greater support for the growing customer base in Australia where AgustaWestland sees significant business opportunities in the future.