Leonardo delivered the first twin-engine HH-139B helicopter to the Italian Air Force. The delivery concerns the first of the 17 HH-139s expected by 2021 and will allow the Italian Air Force to strengthen its role capability.
The helicopter will be used by the 15th Wing, department that carries out search and rescue tasks as well as cooperation and intervention in favor of the civilian population in the event of a disaster. The other aircraft will be distributed over different bases, thus ensuring extensive coverage of the national territory.
This helicopters can in fact be used for different missions: search and rescue, firefighting, interception of low performance aircraft (Slow Mover Intercept). Among the specifications of the HH139B, explains Leonardo, there are “new electro-optical system, new radar, new recovery winch and a mission console in the cabin. The basic avionics will be the most up-to-date, allowing for an even more advanced navigation capability and even greater safety in all weather conditions”.
"The growth in the number of HH-139s in service with the Air Force also allows us to take advantage of logistical, operational, technical, certification and training synergies for the entire fleet of AW139 helicopters used by government operators and with public utilities in Italy. This aspect strengthens the possibility of carrying out effective and safe joint operations with other users of this modern helicopter model and represents an important qualitative leap in terms of national security, emergency response capability and cost-effectiveness for managing the entire product lifecycle in the future. During the pandemic, the AW139s confirmed unique rescue capabilities, being widely used in Italy for the transport of patients on stretchers in biocontainment.
In our country, helicopters of this type are also used by the Guardia di Finanza, the State Police, the Coast Guard, the Fire Brigade and the Carabinieri, as well as by various emergency medical services operators.
