|
AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland S.p.A was an Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company and wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica S.p.a., (now called Leonardo). It was formed in July 2000 as an Anglo-Italian multinational company, when Finmeccanica and GKN (Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds) merged their respective helicopter subsidiaries (Agusta and Westland Helicopters) to form AgustaWestland, with each holding a 50% share. Finmeccanica acquired GKN's stake in AgustaWestland in 2004. From 1 January 2016, the activities of AgustaWestland were merged into Leonardo-Finmeccanica's Helicopter Sector.
AW101 (EH101) | AW109 |
AW139 | AW159
AgustaWestland AW101 (EH101) Merlin
The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter used in both military and civil applications. It was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter. Several operators, including the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, Norway and Portugal, use the name Merlin for their AW101 aircraft. It is manufactured at factories in Yeovil, England and Vergiate, Italy; licensed assembly work has also taken place in Japan and the United States.
Prior to 2007, the aircraft had been marketed under the designation EH101. The original designation was EHI 01 but a transcription error of a handwritten note changed this to EH101 and the designation stuck. In 2000, Westland Helicopters and Agusta merged to form AgustaWestland, leading to the type's redesignation as AW101. The type first flew in 1987, and entered into service in 1999. Since the AW101's introduction, it has replaced several older helicopter types, such as the Sea King, performing roles such as medium-sized transport, anti-submarine warfare, and ship-based utility operations.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) operates a variant of the AW101, designated CH-149 Cormorant, in the air-sea rescue role. Another variant, designated VH-71 Kestrel, was being developed to serve in the US presidential transport fleet; however, the program was cancelled. Civil operators also use AW101s in roles such as passenger and VIP transportation. The type has been deployed to active combat theatres, such as in support of coalition forces during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin HM2, registration ZH861, built 2002, serial number 50168 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AW101 (EH101) | AW109 |
AW139 | AW159
AgustaWestland AW109
The AgustaWestland AW109 is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Italian manufacturer Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland, merged into the new Finmeccanica since 2016). The rotorcraft had the distinction of being the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced.
Developed as the A109 by Agusta, it originally entered service in 1976 and has since been used in various roles, including light transport, medevac, search-and-rescue, and military roles. The AW109 has been in continuous production for 40 years. The AgustaWestland AW119 is a derivative of the AW109, the main difference being that it is powered only by a single engine instead.
AgustaWestland AW109E, registration F-HNPB, built 2008, serial number 11728 Cointrin (GVA), Geneva, Switzerland, 3 July 2018
AW101 (EH101) | AW109 |
AW139 | AW159
AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter developed and produced principally by AgustaWestland. It is marketed at several different roles, including VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol.
The AW139 was originally designed and developed jointly by Agusta and Bell Helicopter and marketed as the Agusta-Bell AB 139, being redesignated AW139 when Bell Helicopter withdrew from the project. Since entering service in 2003, the AW139 has become one of AgustaWestland's most influential products; it has been subsequently developed into two enlarged medium-lift helicopters, the military-orientated AW149 and the AW189 for the civil market.
AgustaWestland AW139, registration PH-SHK, built 2005, serial number 31030 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AgustaWestland AW139, registration PH-IEH, built 2006, serial number 31046 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AgustaWestland AW139, registration 2013, built 2010, serial number 31302 Cointrin (GVA), Geneva, Switzerland, 1 July 2017
AgustaWestland AW139, registration PH-EUF, built 2012, serial number 31406 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AW101 (EH101) | AW109 |
AW139 | AW159
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat
The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter designed to serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles. In British service, common variants are being operated by both the Royal Navy and British Army to replace their ageing Lynx Mk.7/8/9 rotorcraft. The AW159 has also been offered to several export customers, and has been ordered by the Republic of Korea Navy and the Philippine Navy.
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2, registration ZZ376, built 2013, serial number 495 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2, registration ZZ515, built 2014, serial number 520 Den Helder Airport (Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy) (DHR/EHKD), Den Helder, Netherlands, 16 September 2017
AW101 (EH101) | AW109 |
AW139 | AW159
|