AgustaWestland AW169
AW169 | |
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AW169 at the Farnborough Air Show , 2012
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Role | Helicopter |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | Leonardo S.p.A. AgustaWestland |
First flight | 10 May 2012 |
Introduction | 2015 |
Status | Active service |
Produced | 2015–present |
Number built | 170+ as of October 2023 |
The AgustaWestland AW169[1] is a twin-engine, 10-seat, 4.8t helicopter developed and manufactured by the helicopter division of Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland, merged into Finmeccanica since 2016).[2] It was designed to share similarities with the larger AgustaWestland AW139 and AgustaWestland AW189.
Development
On 19 July 2010, AgustaWestland formally announced that the AW169 was under development at the
On 10 May 2012, the first prototype of the type conducted its first flight.
In November 2015, a prototype was dispatched to various locations in California, United States, for high and low altitude flight tests in support of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.[13] In February 2016, the AW169 received FAA certification, enabling deliveries of the type to occur later that year.[14]
In 2012, AgustaWestland stated that it was planning to produce the AW169 in its facilities in
Design
The AW169 is a medium-sized twin engine helicopter; upon launch, it held the distinction of being the first all new aircraft in its weight category in over 30 years.
The AW169 is equipped with various avionics systems, including a
There is no
In a utility passenger configuration, up to 10 people can be accommodated in the AW169's main cabin, while a corporate transport arrangement can house a maximum of eight people, and a more spacious
Operational history
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2015) |
In April 2013, AgustaWestland unveiled the AW169 AAS as its contender in the United States Army's Armed Aerial Scout program. It stood out as the largest contender, boasting a gross weight of 10,000 lbs, nearly double the weight of the Bell OH-58 Kiowa it aimed to replace. This substantial size was highlighted by AgustaWestland for its ability to offer unparalleled cabin flexibility, accommodating features like extended range tanks, command and control facilities, and potential manned-unmanned teaming workstations. While the size presented challenges in terms of air transportability by strategic airlifters, AgustaWestland assured that they had solutions to meet the Army's requirements for disassembly and reassembly within specified time limits. Despite the program's promising size and performance attributes, the AAS program was ultimately terminated in late 2013 without progressing to procurement.
[29] In later 2013, the AAS program was terminated without any procurement being made.[30]
In September 2015, it was reported that the first AW169 had been delivered to an unidentified
By February 2016, at least 20 AW169's had been delivered to various customers across the world and have been used in roles such as EMS, VIP transport, utility and offshore duties.[14]
In July 2017, the
In September 2020, the Austrian Defense Ministry announced the acquisition of 18 AW169s; these will replace Austria's long-serving fleet of Alouette III helicopters.[36]
In July, 2023, the Canadian company Ascent Helicopters Ltd. won a 10-year, $544-million CAD contract to take over as the Province of British Columbia’s sole air-ambulance helicopter provider, replacing several other providers, and so is importing seven new Leonardo AW169 helicopters for the job, expected to start between late fall 2024 and early spring 2025.[37]
Variants
- AW169
- Overall designation for type.[26]
- AW169 AAS
- Designation for militarised variant proposed for the Armed Aerial Scout program (cancelled)
- AW169M (Multiruolo, Multirole)
- Designation for multirole variant UH-169A, ordered by Italian Guardia di Finanza
- AW169MA (Multiruolo Avanzato, Multirole Advanced)
- Designation for militarised variant UH-169 LUH for the Italian Army, with adaptations for troop transport, utility support, maritime patrol, armed reconnaissance and close air support operations.[38]
Operators
Military
- Austrian Air Force (36 on order: 12 AW169B + 24 AW169MA)[36][39]
- Dominican Air Force (4 on order)[40]
- Guardia di Finanza (22 on order, 1 crashed) [41][42]
- Italian Army (15 on order) [43][44][45][46]
- Westair Helicopters
- Army of North Macedonia (4 AW169M on order) ref
- Qatar Emiri Air Force (1 delivered, +3 on order)[47]
Government and civil
- National Gendarmerie (1 delivered)[48]
- British Columbia Ambulance Service, operated by Ascent Helicopters Ltd. (9 on order)[37]
- Indonesian National Police (9 in service) [50][51]
- Slovenian National Police Force (3 delivered)[54][55][56]
- Emerald Pacific Airlines[59]
- Cornwall Air Ambulance
- UNI-FLY Operates the AW169 for offshore Wind Farm Support including heli-hoisting and maintenance teams flights.
- Heli Service International operates the AW169 for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
- Specialist Aviation Services operates the AW169 in HEMS role for the following air ambulances:
- Life Link III[60]
- Palm Beach County Trauma Hawk[61]
- Travis County STAR Flight[62]
Accidents and incidents
On 27 October 2018, AW169 registration G-VSKP owned by Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, chairman of English football club, Leicester City, crashed shortly after take-off from the King Power Stadium, Leicester, United Kingdom and was destroyed by the resulting fire. All five people aboard the aircraft died, including Vichai.[63][64] An initial Special Bulletin issued by the Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has attributed the accident to tail rotor failure after analysing the flight recorder and noting the aircraft failed to respond to the pilot's foot pedal commands. In December 2018 the AAIB reported their finding that a rotating bearing at the outer end of the tail rotor control shaft had become seized, causing the shaft to unscrew itself.[65]
As a result of their findings, the AAIB made several Safety Recommendations to EASA relating to CS.29 (Certification Specification Large Rotorcraft).
On 27 March 2021, Italy's Guardia di Finanza lost a UH-169A (AW169M) helicopter in a crash at its home base, Bolzano Airport. Whilst taxiing to the parking spot, the crew of MM81970/504 (construction number 69109) lost control and fell on its side on the tarmac, apparently due to human error, causing considerable damage to the helicopter. All crew members were unhurt.[42]
Specifications (AW169)
Data from Leonardo Type Certificate Data Sheet[66] and AW169 company brochures[67][68]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2[a]
- Capacity: 8 to 12 passengers, plus 250 kg (551 lbs) baggage and cargo; or 1 stretcher, plus 7 medical attendants; or 2 stretchers, plus 5 medical attendants
- Length: 14.645 m (48 ft 1 in)
- Width: 2.530 m (8 ft 4 in) Horizontal stab 3.205 m
- Height: 4.50 m (15 ft 0 in)
- Empty weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft with FADEC (735 kW, 1,000 shp class each)
- Main rotor diameter: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn) Power on with both engines operative
- Range: 820 km (510 mi, 440 nmi)
- Endurance: 4h 20m
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Notes
- ^ For NVG operations, a pilot and second crew member is required, both to wear Night Vision Goggles.
References
- ^ "AgustaWestland Unveils The AW169". AgustaWestland. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ "Finmeccanica Reshapes Its Name, Business". Defensenews.com. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ Perry, Dominic. "PARIS: Super-medium helicopters close on certification." Flight International, 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Rotary rebound." Flight International, 20 September 2011.
- ^ a b Huber, Mark. "Demand Spurs AgustaWestland To Open U.S. Line For AW169." AIN Online, 21 May 2013.
- ^ State aid: Commission authorises France and Italy to grant aid to Eurocopter and Agusta Westland for the development of a new generation of civil helicopters EU, 7 March 2012. Accessed: 20 March 2012.
- ^ "INAER Signs Contract for Ten AW169 Helicopters". AgustaWestland. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ "New Generation AW169 helicopter completes its maiden flight". AgustaWestland. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "AgustaWestland AW169 Takes Off". AviationToday. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ a b Croft, John (20 July 2010). "AgustaWestland unveils 'game-changing' AW169". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d Huber, Mark. "AgustaWestland AW169 Gets Nod from EASA." AIN Online, 16 July 2015.
- ^ "AW169 achieves EASA certification with Liebherr technology on board." Liebherr, 27 July 2015.
- ^ "AW169 Flies Altitude Tests in California." Aviation Today, 27 November 2015.
- ^ a b "AW169 helicopter achieves FAA validation." Vertical Magazine, 14 February 2017.
- ^ Perry, Dominic. "IN FOCUS: AgustaWestland brings civil rotorcraft to UK factory as military options dry up." Flight International, 31 October 2012.
- ^ Huber, Mike. "AgustaWestland Starts AW169 Production." AIN Online, 9 January 2015.
- ^ Huber, Mark (3 March 2015). "AgustaWestland to build AW609 in Philadelphia". Aviation International News.
- ^ a b c d Huber, Mark. "AgustaWestland's AW169." Business Jet Traveller, February 2014.
- ^ Perry, Dominic. "Leonardo drops plans for AW169 production in USA." Flight International, 12 October 2016.
- ^ a b "LCI Places first AW169 Helicopter for Offshore Deployment with Heliservice." LCI Aviation, 8 October 2015.
- ^ "AW169 certified as first all-new rotorcraft in its class for 30 years." European Business Air News, 23 July 2013.
- ^ "AW Readies First AW169 Deliveries." Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Rotor&Wing, 16 July 2015.
- ^ Valpolini, Paolo. "Commonality Is The Key To Fleet Growth Options As AgustaWestland Keeps New Helicopters In The Family Way." AIN Online, 8 July 2012.
- ^ Perry, Dominic. "AgustaWestland considers full ice protection for AW169." Flight International, 7 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Swiss Air-Rescue Rega orders Three Rescue AW169 Helicopters."[permanent dead link] Aviation Tribune, 3 December 2015.
- ^ a b "AW169: Next Generation Versatility." Archived 8 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine AgustaWestland, Retrieved: 7 December 2015.
- ^ "MAG unveils VIP interior for AW169 helicopter." Business Jet Interiors International, Retrieved: 18 December 2015.
- ^ "AW169 EMS and Rescue Services." Archived 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine AgustaWestland, Retrieved: 7 December 2015.
- ^ "AgustaWestland is In – But is There an AAS Program?". Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Aviationweek.com, 12 April 2013.
- ^ Outgoing General: US Army Must Continue To Fund Research and Development – Defensenews.com, 14 January 2014.
- ^ Perry, Dominic. "AgustaWestland cool on development of 10.5t helicopter." Flight International, 30 September 2015.
- ^ "Specialist Aviation to operate AW169 for KSSAAT." European Business Air News, 9 October 2014.
- ^ Osborne, Tony. "Rega, AgustaWestland Developing New SAR-Capable AW169." Aviation Week, 2 December 2015.
- ^ Dalløkken, Per (13 July 2017). "Nye politihelikoptre skal lages av samme selskap som lager de nye redningshelikoptrene". Teknisk Ukeblad. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ Tomkins, Richard (26 July 2016). "Norwegian Police pick Leonardo's AW169 helicopter". United Press International. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Austria ordering 18 Leonardo helicopters in deal with Italy". Reuters. 21 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Seven new helicopter ambulances for B.C. when Island firm takes over" Castanet, 4 July 2023.
- ^ "AW169M Next Generation Multirole." Archived 24 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine Finmeccanica , Retrieved: 23 December 2015.
- ^ "Austria doubles down on Leonardo helicopter procurement | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ "AW169s for the Dominican Republic". www.scramble.nl.
- ^ Perry, Dominic (12 November 2018). "First sales success for military variant of AW169 helicopter". Flight Global. London. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Incident AgustaWestland AW169 MM81970, 27 Mar 2021". Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "Altri 15 AW-169M per l'Esercito Italiano". RID – Portale Difesa. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Programma Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Esercito Italiano – acquisizione elicotteri AW-169 in configurazione Multiruolo Avanzato" (PDF). Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Italy to Order 15 AW169MA Multirole Helicopters for Army". www.defense-aerospace.com.
- ^ "Italy to order 15 AW169 military helicopters".
- ^ Binnie, Jeremy (16 February 2021). "Qatar confirms AW169 order". Janes. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Argentine National Gendarmerie chooses the Leonardo AW169". helipress.net. flightglobal.com. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Heli Service fleet". heliservice.de. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Tahun Depan Datang, Polri Beli 9 Heli AW169 dan 2 AW189". airspace-review.com (in Indonesian). 20 August 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ "Three Indonesian Police AW169 performing a pre-delivery maintenance test flight at Venegono, Italy". twitter.com/Jatosint. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ "Airlift overtek losflygingane etter Lufttransport". Airlift as (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ "Politidirektøren fikk en luftetur i sitt nye 100 millioner kroners-helikopter". TU.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Policija – Z novim večnamenskim helikopterjem AW 169 bomo odslej varneje in hitreje opravljali vse policijske naloge". www.policija.si. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Slovenska policija bo dobila nov helikopter". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ Golec, Davor. "Sierra5.net - Slovenska policija v nakup tretjega helikopterja AW169". www.sierra5.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Toppmodern ambulanshelikopter till länet". Air ambulance as (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ "Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance – Ambulanshelikopter & Ambulansflyg". www.airamb.se. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "Waypoint delivers 3 AW169s to Emerald Pacific Airlines". Vertical Mag. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "Leonardo: US EMS operator Life Link III grows its fleet of helicopters to 14 aircraft". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "Leonardo: Health Care District of Palm Beach County in Florida Purchases Two AW169 EMS Helicopters". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "AW169 helicopter scores first contract success in the US emergency services market – DETAIL – Leonardo – Aerospace, Defence and Security". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "Leicester City owner's helicopter crashes leaving stadium". BBC News. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Five dead after helicopter crashes outside Leicester City stadium" International Flight Network, Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "AAIB Special Bulletin 2/2018" (PDF). Air Accident Investigation Board. 6 December 2018. p. 7.
Failure sequence
- ^ "AW169: Type Certificate Data Sheet." Leonardo S.p.A.. 4 August 2016.
- Leonardo-Finmeccanica
- ^ "AugustaWestland AW169 Emergency Medical Services" Archived 20 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Leonardo.
External links
- AW169 Page on Leonardocompany.com
- Alexa Rexroth (23 May 2018). "Pilot Review: Leonardo AW169". AIN online.