Jump to content

AgustaWestland AW169

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AW169
AW169 at the Farnborough Air Show, 2012
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

[edit]

On 19 July 2010, AgustaWestland formally announced that the AW169 was under development at the Farnborough International Air Show. According to AgustaWestland, the 4.5 ton AW169 is a light-intermediate twin engine rotorcraft intended for a range of utility operations; to lower prospective operational costs, a decision was made early on for the AW169 to share a large level of commonality across both components and the cockpit configuration with the larger AgustaWestland AW139.[3][4] In 2011, the British Government provided a $33 million loan to AgustaWestland for the AW169 development program.[5] In 2012, the European Union approved a 19-year €272 million zero‑interest loan from the Italian government to AgustaWestland to finance the development of the AW169; industrial research is 40% of the total, and experimental development is 60%, while the aid element is €94 million.[6]

AW169 demonstrator, 2013

On 10 May 2012, the first prototype of the type conducted its first flight.[7][8] The testing program involved a total of four prototypes; the second and third AW169s joined the flight test program later on in 2012, and the fourth in 2013. AgustaWestland had initially anticipated that the AW169 would receive flight certification in 2014,[9] and had planned for production AW169 aircraft to enter service by 2015.[10] On 15 July 2015, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued its certification for the AW169.[11][12]

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 Yeovil, England. The design and manufacture of various components such as the rotor blades, intermediate and tail gearboxes, and tail rotor hub was performed by AgustaWestland's UK branch.[5][15] In January 2015, the assembly of the first production AW169s began at AgustaWestland's factory in Vergiate, Italy; initial production models were produced at this site.[11][16] In 2015, manufacturing activity on the AW169 also commenced on a second production line at AgustaWestland's facility in Philadelphia, USA; the rate of production was reportedly planned to be increased to 20 US-built rotorcraft per year by 2017.[17][18] However, in October 2016, it was announced that Leonardo, the rebranded identity of AgustaWestland, had decided to abandon work on its planned US production of the type.[19]

Design

[edit]

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.[20][21] Weighing roughly 4,500 kg and accommodating 7–10 passengers, it is positioned between the 3,175 kg 8-seat AW109GrandNew and the much larger 6,400 kg 15-seat AW139.[10] The AW169 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshaft engines, which drives the main rotor at variable speeds to reduce external noise and increase efficiency. Newly developed dampers were installed between the rotor blades of the main rotor in order to reduce vibration levels for a smooth passenger experience.[18] It has the distinction of being the first production helicopter of its category to feature electronically actuated landing gear.[11] AgustaWestland has reported having various customers for the AW169, including air ambulance, law enforcement, executive/corporate, offshore transport and utility sectors.[22]

The AW169 is equipped with various avionics systems, including a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit featuring three displays outfitted with touchscreen interfaces, digital maps, dual radar altimeters, automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast tracking, Health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), and night vision goggles (NVG) compatibility. Many elements of the cockpit and avionics are similar to those installed on the AgustaWestland AW139 and the AgustaWestland AW189, providing a high level of support.[18] The use of a four-axis digital automatic flight control system and a dual flight management system incorporating terrain and traffic avoidance systems has allowed for the rotorcraft to be certified to be flown by a single pilot under instrument flight rules (IFR).[11]

There is no auxiliary power unit installed on the AW169; instead, the transmission features a clutch to allow the rotors to be stopped while the port engine continues to run to power the avionics and onboard electrical systems.[23] On customer request, the AW169 can be equipped with a comprehensive full ice protection system; alternatively, a limited ice protection system may also be integrated.[24][25] To meet differing customer's requirements and preferences, the AW169 can be configured with numerous optional items of equipment, such as auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoist, cargo hook, emergency flotation aids, external cameras, rappelling fittings, wire strike protection system, mission consoles, external loudspeakers, and external lighting arrangements.[26]

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 VIP layout holds six to seven passengers instead.[18] The VIP interior, developed and offered by Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG), features include the Silens noise and vibration-reduction system, the IFEEL In-flight entertainment system, and numerous luxurious cabin refinements.[27] In the emergency medical services (EMS) role, the cabin can accommodate a pair of stretchers while maintaining easy access across each patient from either side, a full medical suite can also be installed.[28]

Operational history

[edit]
AW169 G-KSST operated by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance

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 VIP customer.[31] The launch customer for the AW169 is Lease Corporation International (LCI); by October 2015, LCI had a total of 12 AW169s on order, the first of which being configured to perform offshore operations.[20] In October 2014, it was announced that the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance would become the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operator to use the AW169 in the United Kingdom.[32] In December 2015, AgustaWestland and air-rescue operator REGA announced the formation of a partnership agreement to develop a dedicated search and rescue (SAR) variant of the AW169, REGA also ordered an initial three such rotorcraft at the same time.[25][33]

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 National Police Directorate of Norway announced they had reached an agreement with Leonardo to purchase three AW169 for a value of 313 million NOK. The contract includes 10 years support and maintenance for a total contract of 670 million NOK, as well as an option for a further three AW169s. The helicopters are expected to enter service by 2019 and will replace the two Eurocopter EC135 currently in use. The main competitor was the Eurocopter EC145.[34][35]

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

[edit]
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

[edit]

Military

[edit]
 Austria
  • Austrian Air Force 36 on order made of: [39]
    • 6 AW169B Lion, a training variant (5 delivered as of end 2023)
    • 12 AW169MA Lion, a light multirole / attack variant
    • 18 AW169M Lion, a light multirole helicopter
 Dominican Republic
 Italy
 North Macedonia
 Qatar

Government and civil

[edit]
 Argentina
 Canada
 Germany
 Indonesia
 Japan

Power line patrol

News gathering

Rescue and Firefighting

Transportation

 Norway
 New Zealand
 Slovenia
 Sweden
 Taiwan (Republic of China)
  • Emerald Pacific Airlines[67]
 United Kingdom
 United States

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

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.[72][73] 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.[74]

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)

[edit]
Drawing lines
AgustaWestland AW169 mockup at model launch

Data from Leonardo Type Certificate Data Sheet[75] and AW169 company brochures[76][77]

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

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ For NVG operations, a pilot and second crew member is required, both to wear Night Vision Goggles.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "AgustaWestland Unveils The AW169". AgustaWestland. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  2. ^ "Finmeccanica Reshapes Its Name, Business". Defensenews.com. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  3. ^ Perry, Dominic. "PARIS: Super-medium helicopters close on certification." Flight International, 31 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Rotary rebound." Flight International, 20 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b Huber, Mark. "Demand Spurs AgustaWestland To Open U.S. Line For AW169." AIN Online, 21 May 2013.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "INAER Signs Contract for Ten AW169 Helicopters". AgustaWestland. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  8. ^ "New Generation AW169 helicopter completes its maiden flight". AgustaWestland. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  9. ^ "AgustaWestland AW169 Takes Off". AviationToday. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  10. ^ a b Croft, John (20 July 2010). "AgustaWestland unveils 'game-changing' AW169". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d Huber, Mark. "AgustaWestland AW169 Gets Nod from EASA." AIN Online, 16 July 2015.
  12. ^ "AW169 achieves EASA certification with Liebherr technology on board." Liebherr, 27 July 2015.
  13. ^ "AW169 Flies Altitude Tests in California." Aviation Today, 27 November 2015.
  14. ^ a b "AW169 helicopter achieves FAA validation." Vertical Magazine, 14 February 2017.
  15. ^ Perry, Dominic. "IN FOCUS: AgustaWestland brings civil rotorcraft to UK factory as military options dry up." Flight International, 31 October 2012.
  16. ^ Huber, Mike. "AgustaWestland Starts AW169 Production." AIN Online, 9 January 2015.
  17. ^ Huber, Mark (3 March 2015). "AgustaWestland to build AW609 in Philadelphia". Aviation International News.
  18. ^ a b c d Huber, Mark. "AgustaWestland's AW169." Business Jet Traveller, February 2014.
  19. ^ Perry, Dominic. "Leonardo drops plans for AW169 production in USA." Flight International, 12 October 2016.
  20. ^ a b "LCI Places first AW169 Helicopter for Offshore Deployment with Heliservice." LCI Aviation, 8 October 2015.
  21. ^ "AW169 certified as first all-new rotorcraft in its class for 30 years." European Business Air News, 23 July 2013.
  22. ^ "AW Readies First AW169 Deliveries." Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Rotor&Wing, 16 July 2015.
  23. ^ Valpolini, Paolo. "Commonality Is The Key To Fleet Growth Options As AgustaWestland Keeps New Helicopters In The Family Way." AIN Online, 8 July 2012.
  24. ^ Perry, Dominic. "AgustaWestland considers full ice protection for AW169." Flight International, 7 October 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Swiss Air-Rescue Rega orders Three Rescue AW169 Helicopters."[permanent dead link] Aviation Tribune, 3 December 2015.
  26. ^ a b "AW169: Next Generation Versatility." Archived 8 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine AgustaWestland, Retrieved: 7 December 2015.
  27. ^ "MAG unveils VIP interior for AW169 helicopter." Business Jet Interiors International, Retrieved: 18 December 2015.
  28. ^ "AW169 EMS and Rescue Services." Archived 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine AgustaWestland, Retrieved: 7 December 2015.
  29. ^ "AgustaWestland is In – But is There an AAS Program?". Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Aviationweek.com, 12 April 2013.
  30. ^ Outgoing General: US Army Must Continue To Fund Research and Development – Defensenews.com, 14 January 2014.
  31. ^ Perry, Dominic. "AgustaWestland cool on development of 10.5t helicopter." Flight International, 30 September 2015.
  32. ^ "Specialist Aviation to operate AW169 for KSSAAT." European Business Air News, 9 October 2014.
  33. ^ Osborne, Tony. "Rega, AgustaWestland Developing New SAR-Capable AW169." Aviation Week, 2 December 2015.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "Austria ordering 18 Leonardo helicopters in deal with Italy". Reuters. 21 September 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Seven new helicopter ambulances for B.C. when Island firm takes over" Castanet, 4 July 2023.
  38. ^ "AW169M Next Generation Multirole." Archived 24 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine Finmeccanica , Retrieved: 23 December 2015.
  39. ^ "Verteidigungsministerin Tanner informierte über die neuen Hubschrauber AW169" [Defense Minister Tanner informed about the new AW169 helicopters]. Ministry of Defence of Austria (in German). Aigen im Ennstal. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  40. ^ "AW169s for the Dominican Republic". www.scramble.nl.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ a b "Incident AgustaWestland AW169 MM81970, 27 Mar 2021". Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Altri 15 AW-169M per l'Esercito Italiano". RID – Portale Difesa. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  44. ^ "Programma Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) Esercito Italiano – acquisizione elicotteri AW-169 in configurazione Multiruolo Avanzato" (PDF). Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  45. ^ "Italy to Order 15 AW169MA Multirole Helicopters for Army". www.defense-aerospace.com.
  46. ^ "Italy to order 15 AW169 military helicopters".
  47. ^ Binnie, Jeremy (16 February 2021). "Qatar confirms AW169 order". Janes. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Argentine National Gendarmerie chooses the Leonardo AW169". helipress.net. flightglobal.com. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  49. ^ "Heli Service fleet". heliservice.de. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  50. ^ "Tahun Depan Datang, Polri Beli 9 Heli AW169 dan 2 AW189". airspace-review.com (in Indonesian). 20 August 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  51. ^ "Three Indonesian Police AW169 performing a pre-delivery maintenance test flight at Venegono, Italy". twitter.com/Jatosint. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  52. ^ "JA169T 機体情報". JA Search. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  53. ^ "ASAHI SHIMBUN ORDERS AN AW169 FOR NEWS GATHERING". Helicopter Investor. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  54. ^ "ASAHI BROADCASTING CORPORATION CHOOSES AW169 HELICOPTER FOR ELECTRONIC NEWSGATHERING ROLE IN JAPAN". Helicopter Industry. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  55. ^ "メ～テレが取材用のヘリを新導入　運航や整備を朝日新聞に委託". Asahi shimbun. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  56. ^ "愛称は｢ブルースター｣　読売･日テレ新型ヘリ　4月から本格運航". Bunka News. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  57. ^ "Leonardo aumenta su participación en el mercado japonés de helicópteros". Avion Revue Internacional. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  58. ^ "Leonardo announces three AW139s and one AW169 for Japanese customers". HeliHub. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  59. ^ "Aero Asahi to Launch Japan's First Agusta-Branded VIP/Corporate Helicopter". MRO Business Today. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  60. ^ "Airlift overtek losflygingane etter Lufttransport". Airlift as (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  61. ^ "Politidirektøren fikk en luftetur i sitt nye 100 millioner kroners-helikopter". TU.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  62. ^ "Policija – Z novim večnamenskim helikopterjem AW 169 bomo odslej varneje in hitreje opravljali vse policijske naloge". www.policija.si. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  63. ^ "Slovenska policija bo dobila nov helikopter". siol.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  64. ^ Golec, Davor. "Sierra5.net - Slovenska policija v nakup tretjega helikopterja AW169". www.sierra5.net (in Slovenian). Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  65. ^ "Toppmodern ambulanshelikopter till länet". Air ambulance as (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  66. ^ "Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance – Ambulanshelikopter & Ambulansflyg". www.airamb.se. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  67. ^ "Waypoint delivers 3 AW169s to Emerald Pacific Airlines". Vertical Mag. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  68. ^ "Leonardo: US EMS operator Life Link III grows its fleet of helicopters to 14 aircraft". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  69. ^ "Leonardo: Health Care District of Palm Beach County in Florida Purchases Two AW169 EMS Helicopters". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  70. ^ "The next generation of Samaritan's flight program | Parkview Health". Parkview. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  71. ^ "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.
  72. ^ "Leicester City owner's helicopter crashes leaving stadium". BBC News. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  73. ^ "Five dead after helicopter crashes outside Leicester City stadium" International Flight Network, Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  74. ^ "AAIB Special Bulletin 2/2018" (PDF). Air Accident Investigation Board. 6 December 2018. p. 7. Failure sequence
  75. ^ "AW169: Type Certificate Data Sheet." Leonardo S.p.A.. 4 August 2016.
  76. ^ "AugustaWestland AW169 Offshore" Archived 20 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Leonardo-Finmeccanica
  77. ^ "AugustaWestland AW169 Emergency Medical Services" Archived 20 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Leonardo.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to AgustaWestland AW169.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AgustaWestland_AW169&oldid=1241372367"