Aw119 ke (Koala Enhanced)

In February 2007, Augusta Westland launched the AW119 Ke (Koala enhanced) helicopter. The AW119 Ke has an increased maximum take-off weight of 2,850 kg and new main rotor blades with a higher rotation rate for additional lift and temperature operating range.

Fumigacion Aerea Andaluza (FAASA) of Spain is the launch customer for the new helicopter, with an order for six placed in March 2007, for firefighting. The AW119 Ke can be fitted with the Simplex Model 323 Fire Attack System, with a water capacity of 1,200l.

Augusta Westland aw139 Medium Twin-Engine Helicopter, Italy / uk / usa

The AW139 (formerly known as the AB139) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, which was developed by Bell Augusta Aerospace, a joint venture of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. of the USA and Augusta Westland.

In November 2005, Bell announced that it was selling its stake in the AB139 programmer to Augusta Westland. Following the sale, the helicopter was renamed AW139 in February 2006.

The AW139 is available in both civil and military configurations and is capable of carrying up to 15 passengers or 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs) useful load. Civil applications include passenger transport, law enforcement and utility and offshore oil support. Other roles include search and rescue, cargo lift and fire-fighting.

Key players

A number of international companies are involved in the programme including Pratt & Whitney of Canada, Honeywell of the USA, PZL Swidnik of Poland, Liebherr of Germany, Kawasaki of Japan and others.

The AW139, along with the BA609, is built at Augusta’s Final Assembly Line in Vergiate plant, Italy. An AW139 assembly line has been built at the Augusta Aerospace Corporation plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first AW139 built at the new facility was delivered in December 2006.

All parts and components for both lines come from the same sources and the aircraft is identical whether assembled in Italy or in the USA.

Development and certification

The first AW139 made its maiden flight in February 2001. Italian certification was granted in June 2003 and US certification in December 2004. The first AW139 helicopter was delivered to Elilario of Italy in March 2004 and the second to the government of Namibia in September 2004. The AW139 has been selected by more than 40 customers for more than 210 helicopters. Over 50 have been delivered.

Recent orders include: six for the Irish Air Corps (first delivered August 2006), 20 for SEACOR Holdings Inc for use in offshore oil operations, eight for the United Arab Emirates Air Force, one for the Estonian Border Guard, three for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for search and rescue (to be operated by CHC Scotia), 12 for Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, three for the Spanish Marine Safety Agency (SASEMAR), three for the Queensland Department of Emergency Services (ordered in June 2006), one for the Beijing Public Security Bureau, one for the Italian Civil Protection (ordered July 2006), four for the Nigerian government (ordered in September 2006), the first three of a requirement of up to 24 for the Japanese Coast Guard (ordered in October 2006) and two for the Los Angeles Fire Department (ordered in March 2007).

The AW139 helicopter had been selected by Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture established by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as part of their proposed aviation solution for the US Coastguard Deepwater program. The AW139 would provide the VRS (VTOL Recovery and Surveillance aircraft) element and replace the HH-65 Jayhawk. The US Coast Guard has since decided to upgrade the HH-65 rather than procure new helicopters.

The US139 is being offered for the US Army’s light utility helicopter requirement. In February 2006 the helicopter was flown to the Cairns Army Airfield in Fort Rucker, Alabama for the LUH Source Selection Performance demonstration (SSPD).

The AW139 military version is capable of carrying up to 15 troops or six stretchers with four medical attendants. It can be fitted with gun pods, rocket launchers and air-to-air missiles attached to two removable external supports.