At the DSEI 2019 Air Show in London Leonardo presents its latest generation AW149 medium helicopter. It is a modern, reliable machine with competitive running costs, rapidly reconfigurable to perform a wide range of military missions: troop transport (up to 16 equipped soldiers or up to 19 passengers), material transport, medical evacuation and personnel recovery, special forces operations, search and rescue, command and control, close support.
The AW149 has been certified in Italy by the Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (ARMAEREO). The new model is already in service today on the international market. Leonardo offers the AW149 twin-engine helicopter on the international market to operators who are considering replacing their now obsolete fleets of multi-role helicopters. The AW149 could also be an ideal solution for the United Kingdom as well.
In fact, this product is designed to meet operational needs that require excellent levels in terms of safety and survivability and competitive management costs throughout the product's life cycle in the military sector. Equipment such as the advanced autopilot, the open avionic architecture capable of ensuring significant margins of growth and customization, the large sliding doors to facilitate access for soldiers and equipment make theAW149 an ideal candidate to replace older generation models close to being retired from service.
The twin-engine AW149 offers excellent performance even at high altitudes and in high temperatures and has a maximum cruising speed of 287 km/h. At DSEI 2019 it is also presented, alongside the helicopter, an integrated suite of sensors and protection systems including Osprey radar, SAGE electronic support measures and the MAIR missile threat warning system. The sensors and systems proposed by Leonardo are part of an integrated self-protection solution.
The helicopter can also be customized to meet the most diverse needs of the operators. An AW149 will soon be based at Leonardo's Yeovil factory in the UK, to showcase its technology and ability to customize for specific requirements. The AW149 multi-role military helicopter can carry a wide range of armaments such as: 2x 7,62mm or 12,7mm (internal) machine guns, 2x external pods with 20mm cannons, 2x external pods for 12,7mm machine guns, 2 mm, 2,75 x XNUMX” rocket launchers, two anti-tank missile launchers.
The modern open architecture allows for a high level of helicopter customization. The AW149 is designed to carry various armaments and external cargo, as well as machine guns on the cabin windows. The helicopter guarantees high safety for the crew.
Also contributing to its survivability in the field are the fuselage and seats designed to withstand strong impacts, the reinforced undercarriage, self-sealing fuel tanks, self-protection systems and additional armor plating, a transmission capable of continuing to operate regularly even in the absence of lubricant for 50 minutes, advanced avionics and sensors capable of ensuring maximum awareness of the operational situation. The AW149 is also designed to operate in confined areas under hostile conditions.
