Leonardo-Finmeccanica today announced an order for two more AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters from the Italian Coast Guard. This contract brings to twelve the total number of AW139 ordered to date by this operator. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of missions including maritime patrol, search and rescue and air ambulance. The order also includes options for two additional machines.
The AW139 was chosen by the customer following a European tender launched in August 2014 for a second lot of helicopters. The main contract was awarded in the 2010. The AW139 has proven to be the best solution to meet the stringent requirements of the Coast Guard. The delivery of the first helicopters was started in the 2010. The first AW139 missions immediately achieved important operational successes along the Italian coasts and within the exclusive national economic zone.
The Coast Guard AW139 are equipped with a wide range of mission equipment including recovery winch, barycentric hook, cable cutter, weather and research radar, an advanced satellite communication system, electro-optical system, mission console with high-definition screens , anti-collision system based on laser technology, night vision device, new-generation searchlight, emergency floats, lifeboats. The AW139 has a large cabin, easily accessible thanks to two large side doors, for the crew, mission systems and people recovered in rescue operations.
The AW139 was chosen and is in service with the State Police, the Guardia di Finanza and the Italian Air Force. The various Italian institutional operators equipped with AW139 benefit from the advantages deriving from a logistics chain, training and shared support services. This last contract signed by the Coast Guard brings 41 the number of AW139 ordered by Italian government operators to cover a wide range of public utility applications such as public order and national security, patrol, special operations, search and rescue, command and control , government transport and VVIP, civil protection and training.
Customers from 240 countries are almost 70 to have ordered so far more than 960 AW139 which is the most sold helicopter in the world in its class. The AW139 can perform different types of missions including government roles, rescue, search and rescue, private and government transport, public order, utilities, offshore transport. Many also the agencies responsible for patrolling and maritime safety that have chosen the AW139 in different countries, in addition to Italy, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, UK, USA, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, UAE to name just a few .
