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.

Leonardo: Pakistan continues helicopter fleet renewal with order for additional AW139s

- Further  AW139s  ordered  for  utility,  passenger  transport  and  EMS  duties  with  deliveries set  for  early  2019  

- The  AW139  proves  the  preferred  choice  for  a  number  of  military  and  government customers  around  the  world

- Bestselling  helicopter  in  its  class  with  over  1000  AW139s  sold  to  more  than  300 customers  in  over  70  nations  and  more  than  900  in  service

Rome,  16  April  2018  –  Leonardo  announced  today  that  the  Government  of  Pakistan  will  introduce into  service  an  undisclosed  number  of  additional  AW139  intermediate  twin  engine  helicopters.  The aircraft  will  be  used  to  perform  utility,  passenger  transport  and  emergency  medical  service operations  across  the nation.  The  helicopters  will  be  delivered  in early  2019. 

This  latest  fleet  expansion  is  a  further  step  towards  the  completion  of  a  fleet  renewal  programme spread  over  several  batches  and  highlights  the  success  of  the  AW139.  Leonardo  is  also  delivering logistic  support  and  training  services  for  the  growing  fleet  of  AW139s  in  Pakistan.  A  significant number  of  AW139s  are  already  in  service  in  Pakistan,  with  several  operated  by  the  Pakistan Government  for  EMS/SAR,  relief  and  transport  duties.  The  AW139  is  the  perfect  fit  to  Pakistan’s challenging  operational  environment,  delivering  outstanding  capabilities  and  hot  &  high performance  unmatched  by  any  other  helicopter  type  in the  same  class. 

AW139 helicopter   

The  new  generation  AW139  sets  new  standards  in  the  market  with  advanced  technology  and  class leading  performance,  reliability,  safety,  versatility  and  cabin  space.  The  aircraft  has  outstanding one  engine  inoperative  capabilities,  even  in  hot  and  high  operating  conditions,  making  it  ideally suited  to  operate  in  harsh  high  temperature  and  high  altitude  environments.  The  AW139  delivers significant  power  index  margins  in  the  most  demanding  conditions,  demonstrated  flights  up  to 20,000  ft,  high  cruise  speed  (165  kts),  and  is  able  to  carry  up  to  15  passengers  or  a  mix  of dedicated  mission  equipment,  litters  and  medical  attendants  in  its  spacious  unobstructed  cabin  for transport  and  rescue  operations. 

Its  modern,  support-oriented  design  delivers  significant  through  life  maintenance  and  operating cost  savings,  as  well  as  high  mission  effectiveness  and  availability  compared  to  older  competing models.  The  advanced  integrated  cockpit  minimises  pilot  workload,  allowing  the  crew  to concentrate on  mission  objectives. 

More  than  300  customers,  including  military  operators,  from  over  70  countries  have  ordered  in excess  of  1000  AW139  helicopters  making  it  the  best-selling  helicopter  in  its  class.  The  AW139 can  perform  a  wide  range  of  roles  including  government  missions,  EMS,  SAR,  executive/private and  government  transport.  More  than  900  units  are  in  service  and  have  logged  in  excess  of  two million  flight  hours.