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Military helicopter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The AgustaWestland AW149 is a medium-lift multi-role military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now Leonardo, launched in 2006 and had its first flight in 2009. By 2014 it had received military flight certification, and it went on to enter production going into military service with Egypt and Thailand. It is also planned for Poland with a new PZL-Swidnik production line there that opened in 2024, and North Macedonia has a pending order. The aircraft the only contender for the British NMH procurement program in the 2020s.
AW149 | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Medium-lift military helicopter |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | AgustaWestland Finmeccanica Leonardo S.p.A. |
Status | In service |
Primary users | Egyptian Navy |
History | |
Manufactured | 2009-present |
First flight | 13 November 2009 |
Developed from | AgustaWestland AW139 |
Variants | AgustaWestland AW189 |
Developed into | Leonardo Helicopters AW249 |
The AW149 began life as an all-new, military design. [1] It was unveiled at the 2006 Farnborough Air Show, with a larger fuselage and more powerful engines compared to the AW139, resulting in a greater cargo volume and payload carrying ability.[2] On 13 November 2009, the first prototype conducted its first flight from AgustaWestland's Vergiate manufacturing facility in northern Italy.[3] On 26 February 2011, the second prototype, the first with production model engines, made its first flight from Vergiate.[4]
On 20 June 2011 AgustaWestland announced the AW189, a civilian development of the AW149, for service in 2013.[5]
Military certification for the AW149 was announced by Finmeccanica at the 2014 Farnborough airshow.[6] The landing gear can sustain a touchdown with a sink speed of 9.5 m/s, compared with the 2 m/s for a civilian helicopter. The AW149 is being marketed as an alternative to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family. Thailand has ordered 5 AW149 helicopters, and is the first export customer.[7][8] The Italian Air Force considered it as a search and rescue helicopter, but chose the lighter AW139M instead.
In April 2019, the Egyptian Navy ordered 24 AW149s with option for 10 more; first deliveries took place in late 2020.[9][10][11]
AgustaWestland submitted a version of the AW149, designated TUHP149, as a candidate for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) for the Turkish Armed Forces. The programme sought an initial batch of 109 helicopters worth $4 billion, prospective follow-on orders for subsequent batches may eventually rise to 300 rotorcraft.[12][13] On 21 April 2011, the Turkish defence minister announced that the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk had been selected as the winner.[14]
Leonardo has proposed the AW149 for the UK's New Medium Helicopter programme, which aims to replace the RAF's Puma helicopters, with production to be at Leonardo's Yeovil factory if the bid is successful.[15]
In June 2022 Polish defence minister said Poland would order 32 AW149 helicopters, with production to be at Leonardo's PZL Świdnik factory.[16][17][18] The contract was signed on 1 July 2022, and has a value of $1.85 billion (€1.76 billion). Delivery planned in years 2023-2029.[19][20] In 2024, the Polish AW149 production line opened.[21]
Data from AgustaWestland.[30] [31]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Open architecture
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
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