Leonardo: Italian National Fire Corps expands AW139 helicopter fleet with €75 million order

- Contracts  for  five  more  AW139s  add  to  the  initial  three-unit  order,  with  two  already delivered  this  year   

- Italy  aims  to  progressively  replace  their  decades-old  AB412  helicopters  with  modern AW139s  for  disaster  relief,  firefighting  and  airborne  rescues 
  
- 61  AW139s  ordered  by  the  Italian  Government  for  public  services  to  date;  over  270 customers  from  around 70  nations  have already  ordered over  1100  AW139s 

Paris 18  June  2019  –  Leonardo  announced  new  signed  contracts  for  five  additional AW139s  to  the  Italian  National  Fire  Corps  (Vigili  del  Fuoco,  part  of  Ministry  of  the  Interior), including  integrated  logistic  support  and  training  for  crews  and  technicians.  The  orders,  valued at  over  €75  million,  add  to  the  previously  purchased  three  units,  with  two  already  delivered  this year.  The  five new  helicopters  are  expected  to be  delivered  in  June 2020.  

The  Italian  National  Fire  Corps  intends  to  progressively  replace  the  decades-old  AB412s helicopters  and  to  guarantee  optimal  coverage  and  increased  responsiveness  across  the country.  Indeed,  the  introduction  of  the  AW139  marks  a  major  enhancement  of  airborne multirole  capabilities  with  the  world’s  most  modern  helicopter  for  maritime  and  mountain  Search and  Rescue  (SAR),  medical  rescue,  firefighting  and  disaster  relief  duties.  The  fleet modernization  programme  includes  an  option  for  seven  additional  helicopters  which could  be  added  to  the  eight  already  ordered. 

Over  816,000  rescues  and  sorties  are  performed  every  year  countering  fires  across Europe,  including  many  in  Italy.  The  Italian  National  Fire  Corps  AW139  helicopters  feature  a wide  range  of  mission  equipment,  including  an  external  rescue  hoist,  cargo  hook  with  bambi bucket  provision,  weather  radar,  multi-band  and satellite communication  systems,  high definition Forward  Looking  Infra-Red  /  Low  Light  TV  (FLIR/LLTV)  system,  Leonardo’s  high  definition mission  console  with  digital  recorder,  high  definition  down  link,  Leonardo’s  Optical  Proximity LiDAR  System  (OPLS),  Night  Vision  Goggle  (NGV)  capability,  new  generation  Trakka searchlight,  emergency  floatation  system  and  external  life  rafts,  external  loudspeaker,  medical rack  and  bubble  windows.  The  aircraft  also feature  an  advanced  4-axis  autopilot  perfectly  suited for  SAR  operations,  including  over  the  sea.   

Leonardo: Italian National Fire Corps to enhance its emergency multirole airborne capabilities with contract for three AW139 helicopters

- The  contract  valued at  around €45 million  also includes support  and training services, with  an option for 12 additional  helicopters

- Aircraft  to perform  maritime and  mountain SAR, medical  rescue, firefighting and  disaster relief/civil protection  missions

- 56  AW139s  ordered by  the Italian Government  for public services to date;  over 270 customers from around 70  nations have already ordered over 1100  AW139s

Rome,  14 December  2018 – In a move  to enhance its emergency  multirole airborne capabilities  to more effectively counter the ever  increasing risks of firefighting duties,  the Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del  Fuoco) has signed a contract for the supply  of three AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters.  The order, valued at around €45 million, also includes  integrated logistic support and training for pilots and technicians,  and encompasses an option for 12 additional helicopters. Deliveries of  the three new aircraft are expected to start shortly and to be completed  in 2019.

Over  816,000  rescue operations  occur every year countering  fires across Europe, including  many in Italy this year. In order  to better face these challenges the  Italian National Fire Corps, part of the department  of firefighters, public rescue and civil defence within  the Ministry of the Interior, is acquiring the world’s best  rescue helicopter capable to also carry out maritime and mountain Search  and Rescue (SAR), medical rescue, and disaster relief/civil protection. The  AW139 has been selected by the customer following a competitive tender launched  in 2017.

The  7 tonne  AW139s of  the Italian  National Fire  Corps are expected  to progressively replace  their AB412s helicopters which have been  in service for decades. The new aircraft  of the Italian National Fire Corps will feature  a wide range of mission equipment, including an external  rescue hoist, cargo hook with bambi bucket provision, weather  radar, multi-band and satellite communication systems, high definition  Forward Looking Infra-Red / Low Light TV (FLIR/LLTV) system, Leonardo’s  high definition mission console with digital recorder, high definition down  link, Leonardo’s Optical Proximity LiDAR System (OPLS), Night Vision Goggle (NVG)  capability, new generation Trakka searchlight, emergency floatation system and external  life rafts, external loudspeaker, medical rack and bubble windows.

The  AW139  design incorporates  a large spacious cabin  accessed by two sliding doors,  powerful engines that deliver class  leading performance and safety, making  it the aircraft of choice in its weight  class. Excellent one engine inoperative capability  ensures the aircraft can accomplish the most demanding  missions while maintaining the ability to fly away safely  in the rare event of an engine failure. The cockpit features  the latest technology including fully integrated avionics, a 4axis  digital Automatic Flight Control System with dedicated SAR modes and  large flat panel colour displays - reducing pilot workload and allowing the crew  to concentrate on the mission.