AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Fire Fighting Department of Beijing’s Public Security Bureau has taken delivery of an AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter. This aircraft will perform fire fighting and disaster relief mission in and around Beijing as well as law enforcement missions in cooperation with the Beijing Police.

This latest delivery further expands AgustaWestland’s presence in the Chinese public utility market where the company’s comprehensive range of dedicated products perform several roles including fire fighting, rescue and disaster relief. Chinese operators using AgustaWestland helicopters for these tasks also include Guangxi Province and the Public Security Bureau of Nanning, Ordos, Zhejiang and Shenzhen.  

AgustaWestland’s has achieved growing success in China’s commercial helicopter market in recent years with orders now totalling over 40 units of various types for a number of applications including law enforcement, disaster relief, fire fighting, harbour pilot shuttle, water pollution monitoring, VIP, utility and passenger transport.

The only new generation helicopter in its weight class, the AW139 has rapidly become the benchmark helicopter in the medium twin market and the helicopter of choice for public utility duties in its class. The AW139 sets new standards of performance in its category a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 km/h) and a maximum range in excess of 570 nm (1060 km) with auxiliary fuel. The aircraft has outstanding one engine inoperative capabilities even in the hot and high environmental conditions. The AW139 also features the largest cabin in its category. The advanced integrated cockpit with state-of-the-art technology minimises pilot workload allowing the crew to concentrate on mission objectives.

Almost 180 customers from over 50 countries have ordered nearly 660 AW139 helicopters making it the best selling helicopter in the intermediate twin category worldwide. Over 500 aircraft are now in service globally.